House Passes Bill Co-Led by Bonamici to Expand Access to Child Care Services
WASHINGTON, DC [09/16/20] – Today the House passed bipartisan legislation co-led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to aid parents in their return to work by expanding access to child care during the COVID-19 emergency.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020, introduced by Bonamici and Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), and Don Young (R-AK), will aid the return of parents to their workplaces and ensure children can continue learning in an academically supportive environment.
"The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been extremely challenging for working parents, forcing them to navigate new remote learning programs and search for child care while still working to support their families," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "I'm grateful the House passed the 21st Century Community Leaning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act to provide desperately needed flexibility that will help more low-income, school aged children continue their education in safe and supportive academic environments."
The bill encourages flexibility for 21st Century Community Learning Centers – the only federally funded initiative dedicated to supporting afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs – to expand their operations to include programs during school hours. These learning centers, typically operated in Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, schools, or other community centers, have existing, trusted partnerships with the school districts they serve. This legislation would leverage those partnerships to create options for families and cultivate environments in which K-12 students could receive additional academic support, school-aged children could receive safe care during the day, and working parents would be able to return to their workplaces and stay in the workforce.
Bonamici has long advocated for increased investments in the child care system, especially during COVID-19. She recently launched the Oregon Child Care Advisory Board and released an in-depth report on the state of child care in Oregon and across the nation, "Child Care in Crisis: Solutions to Support Working Families, Children, and Educators." The report was informed by conversations with Oregon child care providers, early childhood educators, parents, and other advocates. It contains many of their stories and outlines a legislative path forward.
The House recently passed legislation backed by Bonamici, the Child Care is Essential Act, which will establish a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund to provide grants to child care providers who need support. The grants could be used to give tuition and copayment relief to families, as well as to help child care providers remain open by covering increased expenses. Bonamici also recently led 23 members of Congress in introducing a House resolution that calls for affordable, high-quality child care for all who need it.
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