NeighborImpact welcomes feds’ child care funding
In the closing days of the 113th Congress, President Obama and Congress showed rare bipartisanship in agreeing on legislation to reauthorize the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014.
The legislation was signed by the President on Wednesday,after gaining final passage on an 88-1 vote in the Senate. The House had previously passed the bill unanimously. All of Central Oregon’s members of Congress, Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Jeff Merkley and Rep. Greg Walden, all voted in favor of the legislation.
The bill authorizes $12 billion in funding through 2019 to support a stronger child care system nationwide.
Locally, NeighborImpact administers a child care resources and referral program, which connects parents to providers and provides education and training to help childcare providers become better small businesspeople and early childhood educators.
NeighborImpact also provides technical assistance to help improve quality through additional skills and knowledge.
In the years since the last reauthorization of the program as part of welfare reform in 1996, many states have lacked basic measures to protect families and children, said NeighborImpact Communications Director Jason Carr.
The new bill creates tougher safety standards for everyone, including non-licensed provides. The bill will also expand eligibility for families to receive assistance to ease the cost burden of childcare.
Access to quality child care is an important contributor to economic vibrancy and the ability of working families to make economic gains.These funds will help improve the quality of child care and education so that more children are ready to learn once they enter kindergarten, Carr said.
“The educational, social and health benefits of quality child care for children are well documented,” notes Scott Cooper, NeighborImpact executive director. “But benefits to parents in terms of increased lifetime earnings potential and increased productivity at work, due to peace of mind, aren’t as well understood.
“Employers understand that access to quality childcare is good business. Action by Congress and the President demonstrated today that they understand that connection, too.”
For more information about NeighborImpact’s child care services, contact (541) 323-6513 or visit NeighborImpact’s website at www.neighborImpact.org.
NeighborImpact is a 21 Cares for Kids partner.
