Yesterday, East Bronx and Queens Congressman Joe Crowley announced legislation to increase access to quality and affordable child care for low-income families. Crowley’s “Children First Act” will increase access to reliable, affordable child care for New York families in need, helping to manage the high cost of care without sacrificing quality or safety.
Photo c/o The Epoch TimesDuring the announcement in Corona, Queens, yesterday, the Congressman highlighted the importance of affordable child care in New York City.
During the announcement in Corona, Queens, yesterday, the Congressman highlighted the importance of affordable child care in New York City.
“For many parents, the skyrocketing costs of child care place a significant burden on family budgets that are already stretched thin,” said Crowley. “Working parents shouldn’t be forced into a corner when it comes to ensuring their children are cared for during the day. That’s why I am pleased to introduce a measure that will help more families access affordable, quality and reliable child care.”
The average annual cost of child care ranges from $3,704 to $16,430 for full-time care depending on where the family lives, the type of care, and the age of the child. Often, child care costs are higher than other household expenses and typically exceed the average amount families spend on food, mortgages, transportation, and utilities.
The Children First Act seeks to expand funding for child care assistance for low-income families through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), one of the main federal funding sources that supports early care and education. Approximately 2.6 million children receive federal subsidies or vouchers to help manage childcare costs, according to the office of the Congressman.
Crowley’s legislation will increase funding for these subsidies by $18.8 billion over ten years. This increased funding, combined with other federal sources, is projected to allow approximately 1.4 million more children to have access to safe and affordable child care in the first year alone.
“Making child care more affordable for families is just one piece of the puzzle – we must also focus our energies on other economic challenges facing women and families today,” continued Crowley. “That’s why Democrats in Congress have launched the Women’s Economic Agenda – to focus on policies like raising the minimum wage, equal pay for equal work, and increased investment in job training that address the real economic needs of women and families.”
The legislation is supported by leading national advocacy groups, including: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Children’s Defense Fund, CLASP, Early Care and Education Consortium, Local Initiatives Support Coalition, National Children’s Facilities Network, First Five Years Fund, Easter Seals, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Women’s Law Center, RESULTS, Save the Children, Service Employees International Union, and ZERO TO THREE.
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