In a letter to the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined a bipartisan group of over 30 senators in requested an increase of $720 million for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Program. In the past six years, funding for the CCDBG Program has remained flat. As a result, some states have been forced to tighten eligibility requirements, increase co-payments, and reduce reimbursement rates. Current funding for the CCDBG Program stands at $4.8 billion.
The CCDGB Program provide crucial funding to assist working parents in finding affordable, high-quality child care. A recent Census Bureau study found that single mothers of young children who received child care assistance were 40 percent more likely to still be employed after two years than those who did not receive any help paying for child care. Additionally, high-quality early learning experiences helps ensure that children are well prepared for early elementary education.
“Child care for working parents is essential to America,” noted Senator Collins. “For years the CCDBG Program has assisted low income parents in affording the child care that they desperately need. Congress must not only continue supporting these families, but also ensure that funding levels reflect the need.”
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