WASHINGTON – As Congress continues its work on FY 2021 appropriations and COVID relief, parents, early childhood educators, and business owners are coming together in a virtual town hall on Monday, Dec. 14 at 5 P.M. ET to urge Congress to fight for a stimulus package that includes child care. In order to rebuild our economy, it is clear that we need to strengthen our child care system. 

“From its earliest days, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vital role that early care and education plays in making America work. Yet, Congress has not done enough to #SaveChildCare. Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce, and working parents need a stable child care industry. Working parents have been hit hardest by the economic crisis and Congress’ inaction, and lack of access to child care is the principal reason that so many women, particularly women of color, have been impacted,” said Wendoly Marte, Director of Economic Justice for Community Change.

“The time is now for Congress to provide immediate relief to protect and preserve child care. We can invest $100 billion in our future, starting by passing the Childcare is Essential Act (H.R.7027) to stabilize the child care sector,” Marte said. “And we can’t stop there. We need a long-haul approach to this crisis that creates an equitable universal system that provides ongoing funding, guarantees all families have access to high-quality affordable early care and education, and supports child care workers.”

On Monday, parents, childhood educators, workers, and business owners are coming together to take action to #SaveChildCare. During the town hall, hosted by Community Change, local leaders will share their stories on why Congress must act now to save the child care system to keep America moving. Among the local organizations participating: Ohio Organizing Collaborative, Mothering Justice (MI), ISAIAH (MN), Parent Voices Oakland (CA), SPACEs in Action (DC), Organizers in the Land of Enchantment (NM), Family Forward Oregon.

If you are interested in obtaining the link to the virtual child care town hall on Dec. 14, please email nfani-gonzalez@communitychange.org. 

This post was originally published on Radio Free.