Infants and Toddlers

Representatives Bonamici and Gomez Participate in Child Care Webinar about FFN Care

On June 20, 2023, Early Edge California and National Women’s Law Center hosted a webinar entitled “Strengthening our Nation’s Child Care Infrastructure through FFN Care” to discuss the importance of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care as an alternative to more formalized methods of child care. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) each

Building Child Care for a Better Future Act Reintroduced

As COVID-19 Pandemic relief funding is coming to an end, the child care sector is facing a severe funding cliff. On Thursday June 15, 2023, Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Warren (D-MA) reintroduced the Building Child Care for a Better Future Act, which provides new, permanent funding so that states, tribes, and territories have the critical

Briefing: Investing in Baby Bonds

On June 13, 2023, Prosperity Now held an event for Children’s Week to address unequal wealth distribution and build financial security opportunities for future generations. The Director of Policy explained that baby bonds are one of many solutions to create opportunities for those who face the brunt of the wealth gap. The Vice President of

Diaper Insecurity among U.S. Children and Families

The National Diaper Bank Network released a new report highlighting diaper need in the United States. From the report: “Families are considered to have diaper need when they cannot afford a supply of diapers adequate for changing at healthy intervals. Diaper need is a public health issue that threatens not only child health, but also

Solving the Child Care Crisis: Senate Hearing

On May 31, 2023, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing focused on the stabilization funds for early childhood care centers that were initially disbursed as part of the American Rescue Plan following the COVID-19 pandemic. While Ranking Member Cassidy (R-LA) and other committee members expressed concerns that federal funding

Women Pay the Price in Child Care Workforce Crisis

On May 31, 2023, the National Women's Law Center published a new fact sheet, "The Child Care and Early Learning Workforce Is Underpaid and Women are Paying the Price." This fact sheet includes data and tables on who comprises the child care workforce, their educational attainment, parental status, and their pay. Key findings include: Women

Child Care for Working Families Act

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) reintroduced the Child Care for Working Families Act (CCWFA) on April 27th. Introduced every Congress since 2017, the legislation would address the ongoing crisis in child care by making it affordable for families and addressing the child care shortages that have, in many cases, made it

Executive Order on the Care Economy

On April 18, 2023, the White House released a statement outlining a new executive order to expand and improve the care economy. The order includes directives to officials to increase the accessibility and affordability of child care, improve veteran care, support early educators and care staff, and much more. The Biden Administration, through the American

Subcommittee Hearing on TANF Reform

On March 28th, 2023, the Work and Welfare Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing about the reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, titled “Welfare is Broken: Restoring Work Requirements to Lift Americans Out of Poverty.” The approach of the two parties was starkly different. Subcommittee Chairman

Congressional Dads Caucus Launches with Roundtable Discussion

On March 29, 2023 the Congressional Dad’s Caucus had its kickoff meeting with a panel of lived experience. Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), the Chair and Founder of the Dad’s Caucus, opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of “family friendly” policy. Several other congressmen offered their support, including Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), founder of the

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