Dear Advocates:
Over the past few months the United Way network has been a strong and steady voice for coronavirus relief and recovery in communities across the United States. We have achieved big wins for our sector and the communities we serve, but the fight is not over.
As we approach final negotiations on the next coronavirus relief package, we ask that you contact Congress and ask that they support a $50 billion emergency appropriation for the child care system.
Child care’s essential status demands dedicated relief that acknowledges the unique needs of a system that was already teetering on the edge of financial viability before this pandemic. View a full list of United Way Worldwide’s policy priorities in
this June letter to Congress
.
ACTION:
Please email your U.S. Senator and Representative and ask for their support of the child care industry. Sample email language is provided below, please customize to add why child care is important to you or your business/organization. Find contact information for your Senator
here
and your Representative
here
.
Sample Email
Dear Senator/Representative XX:
I am writing to request your support for the child care industry in the next Congressional coronavirus relief package.
Early care and education is essential to our economy. Parents of young children must have a safe, reliable child care provider in order to fully participate in the workplace. While the CARES Act funds were deployed quickly by the Louisiana Department of Education, that money is almost exhausted, and significant challenges remain for the child care sector. The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, in conjunction with partners, conducted a series of child care owner surveys, and according to data collected in June:
- Louisiana child care businesses, typically small businesses, reported a loss of over $110,000 per center since the beginning of the pandemic, putting the estimated aggregate loss to these businesses at $137.5 million in just three months;
- Almost half of those surveyed --open and closed--had a waiting list of children who needed a spot in a child care program; and
- Almost one-third of closed child care operations estimated they will go out of business permanently if they remain closed for much longer.
Please support a $50 billion emergency appropriation for the child care system to strengthen the role of child care providers to support workers and families. Our state’s economic recovery depends on it.
