Representative Joe Morelle says COVID-era emergency funding related to child care is expiring at the end of September.
Organizations like the Children's Agenda say the programs need funding to help those struggling to balance work life and child care.
A local business owner describes the distraction the problem can present.
"It's a constant juggling of balls in the air,” said Keegan Fisher, co-owner of Red Dog Laundromat. “And you'd have more full-mind people working and focused and productive if they weren't wondering if their child care is going to be pulled out from under their feet."
“The struggle to find safe, accessible, and affordable childcare is universal—and it’s only getting worse,” Morelle said in a statement. “If we don’t act now, we face an even more devastating crisis in just a few weeks—which is why today I’m presenting real, impactful solutions that would strengthen our economy, create good paying childcare jobs, and most importantly, relieve this emotional and financial burden for working families. I look forward to working with my colleagues to provide the support parents deserve and stop this childcare crisis before it’s too late.”
The congressman is cosponsoring two bills. One would improve pay and training for child care workers to grow the number of providers. The second establishes universal child care and Headstart for all 4 and 5-year-old children, no matter their family's income.