Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., CEO of Child Care Aware® of America, released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's American Families Plan:
“With the announcement of the American Families Plan and its robust investment in child care and early learning, President Biden is charting a course forward for us to build the society and economy that we want for the future, a future that values children and their healthy and safe development, and values families and their caregiving needs.
Child Care Aware of America is pleased to see a total investment of $425 billion for child care and early learning. This, and more, is needed to build the child care system into one that works for families, educators and communities. It is critical that as we invest in child care and early learning, we support and expand care provided to both infants and toddlers and to 3- and 4- year olds through universal pre-K in a mixed delivery system that ensures families can choose the best options for their children. It is also critical that we invest money toward our child care workforce, something the American Families Plan prioritizes.
The American Families Plan also supports families and communities beyond their needs for child care by creating a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, extending the expansion of the child tax credit and earned income tax credit, and making higher education more affordable.
Taken with the American Jobs Plan’s $25 billion for a Child Care Growth and Innovation Fund and $45 billion for grants to reduce lead exposure in homes, schools and child care facilities, as well as the American Families Plan’s extension of the expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, there is potential to build the foundation children and families need to thrive now and into the future.
Over the past week, we have seen tremendous momentum from child care champions in Congress and the President with this announcement. Now we need to act. Child Care Aware of America looks forward to partnering with policymakers to invest in child care and early learning moving forward.”
