Investing in early childhood makes good sense
Our policy proposals include...
Supporting young keiki means supporting the workers who care for and educate them.
Families can’t afford to pay any higher prices, and child care providers can’t cut costs any further. To give all children equal access to child care, the Legislature must fill the gap and help build up the child care workforce.
- Child Care Worker Wage Subsidy will create a program to supplement wages to improve recruitment and retention of early childhood care and education professionals.
Let's get child care we can afford.
(Pursuing through administrative rules change)
Every family deserves access to affordable early learning programs. The good news is that the Legislature has the tools it needs to make this happen.
- Removing Tuition Cap for Child Care Subsidies will set a clear direction from the State Legislature that the Department of Human Services may provide payments above tuition rates for child care subsidies.
An accessible child care system would benefit our entire state.
When all families have better access to child care, they have the ability to make choices that benefit our entire community and economy. Working parents can choose to return to their jobs, which also helps employers. They can choose to get the education they need to further their careers, which drives our state’s economic growth. Child care providers are small, local businesses. They can create more jobs that strengthen our local economy.- Contracted Classrooms will run a 2-year pilot program in each county to innovate a funding model that gives stability to providers and increases access for families with subsidies.
Imagine what your life would look like if your keiki had access to quality child care and you didn't have to fight for a spot. It's time to ask your legislators: Are you doing everything you can to support families and children like mine? Are you properly supporting the workers that I am trusting with my keiki? Take action by signing up here.