The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing inequities that have permeated the child care system. This system has always failed to meet the needs of families and the workforce because it has been significantly underfunded and historically relied on the undercompensated work of Black women and other women of color, as well families backing high costs of care.
With passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in March, along with the previous Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act funds, the child care system has received a historic investment of over $50 billion. With bold and equitable implementation of these funds, as emphasized by recent guidance, these funds can have a dramatic impact on families' access to high-quality child care and workforce supports and development. And, while this funding is vital in helping alleviate the deep impacts of the pandemic, Congress must work toward passing the big investments necessary to permanently address inequities and build a transformed system of high-quality child care that works for all families and providers.
Thank you all for your support for child care. Below is just a sampling of how we are actively supporting bold implementation of these historic funds while continuing to advocate for the sustained, large-scale investments necessary to establish an infrastructure that creates a more equitable child care system.
During the last quarter, the Child Care & Early Education team's work was featured in many publications including: HuffPost, NBC News, CNBC, USA TODAY, EdNC, CalMatters, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Denver7, Arizona Daily Star, and more.
