Across the U.S., low-income families that receive child care subsidies are more likely to be employed, maintain work for longer periods of time and increase their annual earnings and financial resources. It’s a tool that has proven to be an enormous success to help families get ahead.
Unfortunately, investment in child care subsidies has been lagging nationwide. Funding for child care subsidies is now at a 12-year-low, resulting in the fewest children receiving subsidies in more than 15 years.
Appleseed Economic Justice Director James Goddard recently authored a new report from the Working Poor Families Project that outlines barriers encountered by low-income families and takes a look at state policies that would increase access to child care subsidies.
Among the report’s recommendations
- States should increase investment in child care subsidy programs to cut down on waiting lists and increase reimbursement rates.
- Set more appropriate income eligibility and reduce the harmful cliff effect.
- Increase parents access to education and skills training while receiving child care subsidies.
- Make copayments more reasonable for low-income families.
States that make these effective child care subsidies more accessible will strengthen the economic success of low-income families, with proven, long-term benefits for working parents, children and our communities.