A new report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that child care is unaffordable for the majority of Virginia families.
It found 85% of VA families with infants, 82% of families with toddlers, and 74% of families with pre-schoolers cannot afford child care -- and that there is a statewide shortage of at least 140,000 childcare slots. And for low-income families in Virginia, it’s even worse: Child care is unaffordable for 98% of low-income families with infants and toddlers and for 97% of low-income families with preschoolers.
Perhaps most shockingly, the report found that childcare costs in VA surpass 10 percent of median income.
How are our families supposed to survive with costs this high?
This report mirrors what I hear directly from Virginians: In every region of VA, whenever I talk to folks, parents tell me how difficult it is for them to find high-quality, affordable child care.
That’s why I’m trying to do something about it: In Congress, I’m fighting to pass legislation to expand access to child care by lowering child care costs, raise wages for child care workers so they stay in the field, and extend vital child care funding to help providers keep their doors open.
It’s why I introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act to help families afford high-quality child care and raise wages for Head Start workers -- as well as the Child Care Stabilization Act to extend vital funding for child care to help ensure providers can stay open.
Will you add your name now to endorse this important legislation?
