This week, the Trump Administration released a broad tax proposal to Congress which includes expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) with the possibility of making it refundable.
Child Care Aware® of America appreciates the Administration’s efforts to help families afford and have access to child care. However, as an organization committed to ensuring that every family in the United States has access to high-quality, affordable child care, Child Care Aware® of America does not believe that President Trump’s proposal will properly meet the needs of low-income and working class families.
We feel very strongly that without an increase in investment in the child care infrastructure like the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), any tax plan will fall short of meeting the needs of these families.
Therefore, while we look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on CDCTC, we encourage them to include a $1.4 billion increase for CCDBG in next year’s Federal budget (FY 2018). This increase will ensure that children do not lose access to care. The health, safety, quality and consumer education components of CCDBG, coupled with the President's tax proposal, will ensure not only increased access to child care, but go a long way to making sure the system as well as parents are better equipped to provide and insist on programs that improve a child's overall development.
