Should we rely solely on the government to help us make the childcare industry stronger?
In December, Congressional leaders released the federal spending bill of FY2021 to fund programs such as Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Head Start & Early Head Start, and Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS). All these early learning programs increased funding substantially from last year. Take for example the CCDBG, which is funded at $5.9 billion for 2021, an increase of $85 million from 2020. Another example is the CCAMPIS that, since 2017 has tripled in funding.
While Democrats want to promote a caregiving economy with more tax incentives for working parents and expenditures of $775 billion, Republicans want to increase block grants to help low-income families. Both proposals place childcare as one of the most significant policy items for the next four years. Childcare is finally in the position it deserves, and clearly, there is no economic recovery or growth without rebuilding it stronger.
Undeniably, the government has been playing an important role to support and improve the childcare industry. But the government has limitations, and we all know that. That's why we have other entities to ensure we live in equilibrium. Americans have freedom of choice. Families have the right to choose the childcare that suits them best. And so are you the childcare provider, who has the power to find other solutions to accelerate your enrollment process and make your childcare facility flourish again, in your own way. And how can we help you on this journey? Well, we want to hear from you. What are your priorities for 2021? Remember your voice, your choice! Make heard your voice and together we'll start rebuilding a stronger childcare industry.
