National poll from Save the Children Action Network and Child Care Aware® of America shows 87 percent of Americans support federal funding to help child care centers pay staff and rent

Today, Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) and Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) announced the results of a national survey that identified registered voters’ overwhelming support for federal funding to address the worsening child care crisis as a result of COVID-19. This groundbreaking poll, commissioned by SCAN and CCAoA, highlights the child care industry’s vital importance to American families and the American economy. 

Today, Senators Warren and Smith announced a $50 billion-dollar plan to save child care in America. Dr. Lynette Fraga, Ph.D., Executive Director of Child Care Aware of America--the leading voice for child care-- released the following statement:

“Child care is essential and the system needs support. We are grateful to Senators Warren and Smith for amplifying the stories and challenges we’re seeing and hearing in communities across the country. 

Their plan identifies key principles for child care relief – support for emergency and essential workers, support for providers and educators, and investment in the future of the system. All of these are critical elements, and without robust, dedicated funding toward these principles, the system will suffer even more than it already is.

As federal and state governments deliberate when and how to reopen the country, we must address the needs of our parents, children and child care workers as prerequisites to reigniting our economy.”

Child Care Aware® of America Calls Federal Stimulus Support for Child Care a “Down Payment” and Urges More Funding to Serve Essential Workers   

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2020 — Child Care Aware® of America released the following statement in response to the latest federal stimulus package:  

“Congress has begun to acknowledge the essential role that child care plays during this public health emergency. This down payment of $3.5 billion, if distributed quickly, will provide much-needed help to the child care system in the short term. In particular, we know that this support can make a difference for the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies across the country that are working overtime to support the families of emergency and essential workers, the child care providers who are dealing with decisions to close or stay open, and the rapidly adapting system. 

Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) has partnered with Yale University Professors Walter Gilliam and Eli Fenichel and their colleagues to promote and disseminate a new interactive map that estimates the child care needs of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The map shows that health care workers in the U.S. have over 3.5 million children. These children need care in order for health care workers to respond to COVID-19, but 2.3 million of these children have no obvious child care providers available in the home.   

Additionally, CCAoA will be offering technical assistance and collateral content that will support child care providers, local, state, and national entities responsible for child care planning, advocacy partners and policymakers. 

Families and field professionals shared accounts that can influence strategies for child care system professionals to meet and engage with families more effectively and efficiently.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Child Care Aware^® of America (CCAoA) released Family Voices Driving Quality Child Care Choices, a report on findings and recommendations from a survey of families on the contemporary child care needs of diverse, vulnerable, underserved families and clarifies where they turn, both in-person and online, to meet their child care information needs. Choosing child care is one of the most difficult decisions families make. Families and field professionals shared with CCAoA in focus groups, an online parent poll and key informant interviews, accounts that can influence strategies for child care system professionals to meet and engage with families more effectively and efficiently.