Tell Congress: Time to show some REAL love to families and COMMIT to child care investments!

TELL CONGRESS: It’s time to show families and parents some REAL love and finally commit to solving the child care crisis!

TELL Congress: It’s time to finally commit to solving the child care crisis!

February is here and this Valentine’s Day, parents are definitely not feeling the love– we are feeling burnt out trying to balance all the things and constantly trying to fill the gaps when our lawmakers let us down over and over again. We aren’t dreaming of flowers, chocolates or brunch… we are dreaming of a world where raising kids in the USA wasn’t that darn hard. Starting with child care.

For far too long, Congress hasn’t fully committed to investing in families or children – or to those that take care of them despite the evidence that they are supporting our children when they need it most– in the critical early years of life when brain development and language acquisition are extensive.

The U.S. currently spends less than 0.5% of GDP on early care and education—less than half of what many other developed countries invest. Families know (and Congress needs to know) that childcare is a public good that pays dividends for us all - and it’s past time that we treat it that way!

**SIGN THIS OPEN LETTER TO CONGRESS and tell them it’s time to show families their love and commitment by truly investing in child care so families across the United States can breathe a little easier.

Dear Congress,

Another year has started, we’re close to Valentine’s Day, but parents are definitely not feeling the love– parents and caregivers are feeling burnt out trying to balance work and caregiving with little support. We live constantly trying to fill the gaps of a system that is clearly not investing in our families.

Families are urging you to invest in comprehensive, high-quality child care for families. The U.S. currently spends less than 0.5% of GDP on early care and education—less than half of what many other developed countries invest. In the United States today, two-thirds of children from birth through age 12 have all available parents in the workforce– and many more parents would join the workforce if good child care options were available.

The lack of investments in child care are not only hurting parents, early care educators are also suffering– their work is often undervalued, and as a result, many childcare providers are living in poverty. A report by the Economic Policy Institute found that child care workers aren’t making enough to support their own families: It is estimated that 1 in 7 childcare workers are living below the poverty line, and only 15% have access to health care. The Center for Early Childhood Innovation found that one in three child care providers is food insecure, and nearly one in four child care providers receives federal food assistance.

Last year, Congress was so close to making bold investments in child care– and now it’s time to get child care across the finish line. The time is now: It’s time to show love, commit and act for families and child care educators all over the country. Families all over the country are counting on you!

Sincerely,

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