Dear John - As the director of a child care program in South Carolina, I’ve loved helping take care of so many wonderful children while their parents are at work. It truly is a labor of love. But since the pandemic has begun, I’ve been greatly concerned about whether my child care center will survive. I think about what would happen to the kids and families who rely on us if I have to close my doors. We’re running at much lower capacity while searching high and low for overpriced cleaning supplies. We’ve gotten some help from grants but that goes quickly when you don’t have full enrollment but still have tons of costs, and must pay teacher's salaries. Right now, there needs to be more funding so child care programs around the country can safely re-open, stay open and serve the families who are struggling to afford child care because of the economic impact of the pandemic. The House of Representatives is planning to vote very soon on the Child Care is Essential Act – a critical bill to help save the child care industry. And the Senate is planning to pass another coronavirus recovery bill before going on home in August. Child care relief must be included in the stimulus bill if we’re going to save child care programs like mine. Send a message to your members of Congress today to ensure they act to protect the child care industry! The Child Care is Essential Act would provide immediate relief to the thousands of child care providers who are struggling to survive. The bill would help stabilize the industry as millions of parents are sorting out how they will manage child care as they return to work. Congress must support this bill so moms and dads aren’t forced to choose between going back to work and having a safe, nurturing place for their children to be. Will you send Congress a message today urging them to help save the child care industry? This is a scary time for us. When current funds run out, I don't know how long I'll be able to run my center safely. I don't know how long I'll be able to make payroll and pay rent, insurance, taxes and all the other bills. The kids we serve are also scared – they don’t understand why their lives have changed so much, why they keep getting told they can’t do things they love like visit grandma or go on a field trip to the library. We need help so we can keep helping them get through this time. The crisis is hurting almost all of the families we serve. It is especially hard on kids in rural areas of my state and African American and Hispanic kids, whose families often find it especially hard to afford child care costs. A recent study found that African American parents experience a more difficult time finding affordable child care. And those who can’t find child care are forced to quit their jobs or change their work at a rate double that of white parents.[1] Ask your members of Congress to help save the child care industry so we can continue serving kids and their families. Thank you for your help! | 
