Massachusetts Executive Office of Education’s Post

With the NYS Child Care Assistance Program, most families of four pay no more than $15 a week. Hundreds of thousands of New York families are eligible for this program, and now there’s an online portal to make the application process easier. Learn more, find out if you are eligible, and begin your application now: https://lnkd.in/ew2gVMbe.

Without support, child care centers will struggle to stay open, leaving parents unable to secure affordable, quality child care that allows them to go to work. Without support, child care centers will struggle to hire the early childhood educators they need to care for our youngest constituents. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ And yet, Congress has still not taken the action needed to end the nation's child care crisis. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Join us at https://bit.ly/2M9eJpH to see how you can advocate on behalf of babies, toddlers and their families. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Read the article by The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/3UrSMI2

A decade ago, only a few people would show up to my presentations on child care. Today, this topic draws large crowds, a testament to the rising importance of child care.. I recently had the honor of speaking at the National Conference of State Legislators in Louisville, Kentucky. I participated in a child care panel that was PACKED - a clear sign of how far we’ve come in recognizing and advancing policies for child care. This was my first time attending the conference, and I was truly impressed by the energy and engagement of state elected officials around child care issues. It was inspiring to connect with legislators, staffers, and other stakeholders who are genuinely invested in finding ways to support families and child care professionals. Thank you Jenna Bannon for the invitation and fellow panelists Representative Samara Heavrin (KY), Kelly Klundt (NM Legislative Finance Committee), and Rob Grunewald for their thoughtful insights and information. In Louisville and beyond, the enthusiasm to advance better policies is palpable. It’s time to put child care center stage!

Since 2020, Action for Children has been tracking progress on the state of child care in central Ohio and demonstrating how communities can come together on data-informed solutions to the challenges faced. Next week’s forum, hosted by the Columbus Metropolitan Club on February 14th at The Ellis, will focus on the findings from our latest survey report, "The Tipping Point," which brought to light critical issues facing child care providers in central Ohio. In a panel moderated by NBC4 co-anchor, Kerry Charles, Dr. Eric Karolak, and Kara Wente, Director of the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Aslyne Rodriguez, Director of Government Affairs at the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and Carol Haynes, Executive Director of Kiddie Academy, will provide insight on how our region can pave the way towards a more equitable and sustainable future for child care – an initiative beneficial for children, parents, and employers alike. Register to join in person or catch the live stream on CMC's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3HLwoBV