Eye on Early Education: July 2020

The disturbing events of the past few weeks are the culmination of hundreds of years of racial injustice. CLASP believes that Black Lives Matter and is committed to ending racial inequities and poverty. Read our full statement here.

On May 26, CLASP's Deputy Executive Director for Policy Hannah Matthews testified in front of the House Committee on Education and Labor about how the child care sector has been harmed by the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic devastation. Watch her testimony and read her opening statement here.

During the last quarter, the Child Care & Early Education team's work was featured in the following publications including: The Hill, The LA Times, The Hechinger Report, Education Dive, Chalkbeat, Fox Business, The Huffington Post, The Olympian, CNBC, NPR, EW Scripps, Fatherly, Ms. Magazine, Newsweek, The Nation, Vox, and more.

What we've been working on

Standing With Black Communities by Standing Against White Supremacy in Child Care and Early Education Spaces

Alycia Hardy and Kate Gallagher Robbins discuss how the early childhood community can address white supremacy and stand with Black families.

Child Care is Key to Our Economic Recovery

CLASP, the National Women’s Law Center, and economist Aaron Sojourner estimate that the child care sector needs $9.6 billion per month to weather this crisis.

CLASP Applauds New Child Care Bill, Releases State-by-State Impact Figures

On May 27, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Child Care is Essential Act, which would provide the sector with $50 billion in relief funds. Stephanie Schmit’s analysis shows how much each state would receive if the bill were passed.

Child Care Coronavirus Recovery Conversations: Equitable Approaches to Elevating Parent Voices

Alycia Hardy explains how states can equitably incorporate families’ lived experiences into their policymaking during this crisis.

CLASP's Statement for the Record House Ways and Means Subcommittee Hearing: Child Care and the Coronavirus Pandemic

Katherine Gallagher Robbins and Stephanie Schmit provided a statement for the record highlighting the urgent need to invest in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using Child Care Relief Funds to Support Relative Caregivers

Christine Johnson-Staub discusses the important role that relative care has played during this pandemic and how policymakers can support relative care providers.

Unemployment Compensation: A Guide for Child Care Stakeholders During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Rebecca Ullrich provides an overview of the unemployment insurance system, new federal benefits available through the CARES Act, and how unemployment compensation can support child care workers during the coronavirus crisis.

Where we’ve been presenting

2020 Moms Presentation: Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy

On May 21, Shiva Sethi discussed his paper about making maternal mental health policy more equitable during a webinar for 2020 Moms.

Who Gives Care During the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Kate Gallagher Robbins presented on the coronavirus pandemic’s effects on the child care sector for a webinar hosted by Oxfam America.

Webinar Recording

Other key resources

CLASP

Enough is Enough. The Time Has Come for All of Us to Stand in Solidarity.

NEW YORK TIMES

The Police Report to Me, But I Knew I Couldn't Protect My Son

NEW YORK TIMES

Black Families Were Hit Hard by the Pandemic. The Effects on Children May Be Lasting.