 September 29, 2006
Dear Representative DeLauro and Senator Clinton, We are writing to express our support of the Choices in Child Care Act. This important legislation to establish At-Home Infant Care demonstration programs will allow struggling families to receive a subsidy to care for their infants in their own homes. The Choices in Child Care Act represents a significant step toward promoting the well-being of all American families and implementing a much-needed economic security measure for low-income families. Enacting the Choices in Child Care Act will provide low-income parents the option of personally providing the quality care that is critical to an infant’s brain development and overall social development. The legislation will also help offset the shortage of available, affordable infant care for low-income families. Researchers have found that the current number of licensed infant child care slots only meets 18 percent of the potential need. Many rural communities lack available infant care altogether, and for families in communities across the nation it is often difficult to find affordable, quality care. For many parents, the most viable option may be to care for their infants at home. The Choices in Child Care Act does not expand the number of families who are eligible for assistance, but instead expands the choices available to parents who are already eligible for childcare assistance. States have established similar At-Home Infant Care programs in recent years as an affordable way to support and empower low-income families. America’s working families need the option to personally provide care for their infant children when it simply makes the most sense to do so. Working families will greatly benefit from the Choices in Child Care Act. On behalf of our many members and the families that will benefit from your legislation, we want to thank you for your leadership on this issue. Sincerely, National Partnership for Women & Families |