Child care subsidies are critically important for low-income working families. Without affordable child care options, families cannot maintain employment and their young vulnerable children lose opportunities for high quality early learning education.
Both the House and Senate Budgets would change eligibility for child care subsidies that families rely on to be able to work and have peace of mind that their young children have access to high quality early education. Both would change income eligibility from 75% of state median income to 200% of federal poverty level (FPL) for children ages 0-5, and to 133% of federal poverty level for children ages 6-12. These budget changes would result in 12,000 children losing their child care services now, and change eligibility for children and families in the future.
In Durham, as of April 2014, child care subsidies were paid for 2,172 children ages 0-5 and 865 children ages 6-12. If the income guidelines change, 43 children ages 0-5 and 248 children ages 6-12 would potentially no longer be eligible for services.
Take action now:
This is the critical time for action during the final days of the budget negotiation process. Use your own examples of how children, families and child care providers rely on child care every day, and click HERE for the North Carolina Child Care Coalition’s talking points and more information. Visit the Coalition’s Action Center for more resources, sign up to receive our advocacy updates, and join us on Facebook.
Most importantly, make your voices heard for early education and young children and families!
