Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., CEO of Child Care Aware® of America, released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden's American Jobs Plan:
“We agree with President Biden that investment in the facilities and the supply of the child care system is needed as we work to build back from the pandemic. Our economy requires the infrastructure of a sustainable, equitable, high-quality child care and early learning system in which children, families, and educators thrive.
The $25 billion Child Care Growth and Innovation Fund and the $45 billion for grants to reduce lead exposure in homes, schools, and child care facilities, are an investment in the safe and healthy development of children and in our child care system. Investing in a stronger child care system today helps build the foundation children need to thrive in the future.
The American Jobs Plan’s funding for child care also represents an investment in our existing workforce by giving parents the peace of mind that children will be in settings that promote their health and well-being. We’ve also seen firsthand during the pandemic how child care helps our economy run. Without it, workers, in particular women, feel the effects.
It is insufficient, however, to invest only in the physical infrastructure of child care – child care works best if our providers are compensated, if it is affordable for families, and if it is accessible in communities across the country.
We look forward to working with the President and Congress on robust investment in child care – to improve facilities, grow the supply of quality care, compensate the workforce, support child development and ensure the system is affordable and accessible for families.”
