Diane Girouard

Diane Girouard
Diane is currently the State Policy Analyst at Child Care Aware. Prior to this role, Diane was a policy analyst focused on child nutrition with the Food Research & Action Center. Diane also worked as a policy analyst for several years under both houses of the New York State Legislature on the education and higher education committees.

Recent Posts

What We’re Watching in 2024 in States Legislative Sessions

By Diane Girouard on February 21, 2024

 

Building off a busy legislative year for child care in 2023, we are already seeing earlyindicators of which states are prioritizing child careinvestmentsthis year.This is a key moment for states to prioritize child care, as it is unclear if there is a path forward in Congress to secure significant funding in 2024 before federal relief funding is fully exhausted and attention shifts to the November elections. This blog explores the states’ legislative landscape, governors’stated priorities and what’snext for states in 2024. 

Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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State Session Round Up: Summer 2023

By Diane Girouard on September 14, 2023

 

Many states have made progress on supporting child care access, affordability, and quality during their 2023 legislative sessions. These actions are particularly noteworthy as 72% ($37.45 billion) of federal relief funding approaches its spending deadline on September 30, 2023.  

Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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Making the Case for Future Investments through Provider Stories

By Diane Girouard on June 13, 2023

Federal relief for child care has been a lifeline to the sector. Congress approved $52.5 billion over three separate relief packages to help the child care sector recover and rebuild in the wake of the pandemic. Unfortunately, these one-time funds are dwindling as we are rapidly approaching state liquidation deadlines.  

This blog shares how the child care advocacy community can integrate first-hand stories of providers and early childhood educators to convey to policymakers what’s at stake when this funding runs out and— most importantly— make the case for continued robust federal investments. 


Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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U.S. Department of Education Issues and Seeks Input on Out-of-School Time Guidance

By Diane Girouard on June 07, 2023


Out-of-school time care for children is an integral component of the child care and early learning system. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program was established in 1994 to support academic enrichment, health and wellness activities, and additional services to school-age children in after- and before- school programs, as well as summer learning programs in every state. This important program is a lifeline for working families who need a safe, nurturing environment for their children that supports their development. The 21st CCLC program is the only federal funding stream solely dedicated to these purposes. 

Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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All Eyes on States 2023

By Diane Girouard on February 10, 2023

Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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State Session Round Up, Summer 2022

By Diane Girouard on August 09, 2022

Topics: Policy & Advocacy

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