STATEMENT: First Five Years Fund’s Sarah Rittling in Opposition to Reported Expansion of Eligibility for Federal Child Care Subsidy
According to recent reporting in the New York Times, the White House is considering a new rule that expands eligibility of the federal child care subsidy program to now include married couples with one stay-at-home parent. The following is a statement from First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling:
“Parents are the first and best source of care for young children. However, in reality, most families need some form of additional child care, as more than two-thirds of young children have all available parents in the workforce, either by choice or by necessity. For these parents, reliable, affordable child care is an essential part of balancing family life and economic stability.
We support providing families with more choices and greater support, helping ensure they are able to access quality care that best fits the needs of their family. That support, however, should not come by stretching an already overburdened child care assistance program and asking more families to compete for the same limited funds. Nor can it come without engaging Congress.
Now, according to recent reporting from the New York Times, the White House is considering allowing families with a stay-at-home parent to also access subsidies through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). CCDBG is a limited resource specifically designed to help low-income families access child care so parents can work, attend school, or participate in job training. Today’s demand exceeds available funding for the program, with support reaching less than 20% of eligible children.
We must continue the work of increasing access to CCDBG for working families, a goal which has shared broad bipartisan support in Congress and the White House for decades.”
Learn More
- Child Care and Development Block Grant: An Overview
- State-By-State Data on CCDBG: How it works, who it serves, and how it is funded.
- CTC and CDCTC: The Other Direct Supports for Families with Young Children
- Bipartisan Child Care Legislation in the 119th Congress: Bipartisan bills designed to support families, improve the early learning and care workforce, elevate quality, increase access and affordability, and strengthen existing programs.
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