--- title: America can't afford the cost of inaction on child care description: America can't afford the cost of inaction on child care --- [![Child Care Aware of America Logo](https://info.childcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/usachildcareaware.site-ym.comgraphicslogo-new.png?width=690&height=350&name=usachildcareaware.site-ym.comgraphicslogo-new.png "Child Care Aware of America Logo")](https://www.childcareaware.org/) - [English ](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/america-cant-afford-the-cost-of-inaction-on-child-care#) - [Español (Spanish) ](https://www.childcareaware.org/?lang=es) - [Child Care Career Center](http://careers.childcareaware.org/) - [Help for Military/DoD Families](https://www.childcareaware.org/fee-assistancerespite/) Search ![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/ChildCareAware_October2019%20Theme/Images/menu_img.png) ## Media Center For media requests, please call 703-341-4161 or email [news@usa.childcareaware.org](mailto:news@usa.childcareaware.org). # America can't afford the cost of inaction on child care April 30, 2021 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The Hill The pandemic and economic downturn of the past year thrust [America's ](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/31/us/child-care-centers-crisis.html)child care crisis into the spotlight, providing an unprecedented opportunity for lawmakers not just to stabilize the child care system, but also to dramatically improve the lives of children, families and caregivers.    Now, as the Biden administration and Congress move swiftly to advance ambitious funding measures, we find ourselves at a crossroads.   [Read the full op-ed](https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/551180-america-cant-afford-the-cost-of-inaction-on-child-care). Topics: [Media Mention](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/media-mention) ![Mario Cardona](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Cardona_Mario_New-Bio-Template-730-x-730.jpg) ### Written by [Mario Cardona](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/author/mario-cardona) Mario Cardona is Chief of Policy and Practice for Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA), providing leadership and outreach to the government, CCAoA members and the general public on issues relating to the early care and education system. Cardona previously served in the Obama Administration as the Senior Policy Advisor for Elementary and Secondary Education on the White House Domestic Policy Council. In that role, he led the Administration’s legislative strategy, budget proposals, and policy initiatives to advance and execute President Obama’s early and K-12 education agenda. Prior to his service in the White House, Cardona held senior roles in the U.S. Senate, including as a principal advisor to the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. While serving in Congress, Cardona wrote and led staff negotiations to pass the Child Care & Development Block Grant Act of 2014, a law that comprehensively updated the quality and safety standards in federally subsidized child care for the first time in nearly twenty years. Cardona earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, and a juris doctorate, with honors, from the George Washington University Law School. Cardona joined CCAoA in January 2021. Previous Post [![CCAoA Statement in Response to President Biden](https://info.childcareaware.org/hubfs/Stock%20images/The%20White%20House%20on%20a%20beautiful%20summer%20day,%20Washington,%20DC..jpeg) ](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-in-response-to-president-bidens-american-families-plan) [CCAoA Statement in Response to President Biden's American Families Plan](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-statement-in-response-to-president-bidens-american-families-plan) Next Post [CCAoA to Lead Provider Appreciation Day on May 7](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/ccaoa-to-lead-provider-appreciation-day-on-may-7) ### Types of Media - [Media Mention (94)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/media-mention) - [News (7)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/news) - [Policy & Advocacy (5)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/policy-advocacy) - [Press (53)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/press) - [Press Release (42)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/press-release) - [Provider Appreciation Day 2025 (1)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/provider-appreciation-day-2025) - [Workforce (1)](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/tag/workforce) [See all](https://info.childcareaware.org/media/america-cant-afford-the-cost-of-inaction-on-child-care#) ** ![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/logo-footer.png)![CCA Logo/Homepage link](https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/logo-footer.png) ** Military Families × Close Panel ** ### Military Families × Close Panel ** × Close Panel