Contributed by Marica Cox Mitchell, Vice President, Early Childhood at the Bainum Family Foundation, and Rachel Schumacher, Director of the Raising Child Care Fund at ECFC
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The Administration continues to champion child care in lieu of Congressional action. On July 19th, the White House convened over 90 state legislators from 41 states to discuss child care, share ideas, and be inspired by peers who have successfully championed child care legislation. The program featured:
- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who spoke eloquently about the work she led to expand eligibility and reduce family fees for families living under 400% of the federal poverty level, as well as create new revenue sources for child care.
- Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, who described a major new state revenue investment of $300 million in child care that was won in the last legislative session.
- California State Senator Nancy Skinner, who described the recent rollback of all family fees for families receiving child care subsidies and earning under 75% of SMI that was codified by the legislature recently.
The First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, closed the event, and shared her empathy for parents who struggle with child care, and a memory of a community college student who came to her class with a young child because her child care had fallen through.
It was striking that the agenda also included grassroots leaders with lived experience. Jennifer Greppi, a mom and the public policy director at Parent Voices California, spoke about a three year campaign she helped organize to win the rollback of parent fees in her state. Erica Gallegos, a former child care early educator and the co-director of Child Care for Every Family Network and former member of OLÉ New Mexico, took the podium to add her story about the 12 year campaign that culminated in winning a right to child care and access to the state Land Grant to fund early childhood at the ballot last November.
Having had the privilege of being in the room where it happened, we have three takeaways for fellow funders:
- Child Care is Top of Mind for These State Leaders
In both informal conversations and facilitated breakouts, we heard enthusiasm, knowledge-based understanding of the challenges facing parents and providers, and commitment to finding ways to move forward in varying political contexts. They knew the issues so well that in the report-out on small group discussions, one said, ”We couldn’t separate child care access from affordability from issues facing the workforce, because they are all connected.” Clearly, advocates and organizers which you support in states are having an impact. One reason may be that media outlets are interested too; the event generated 21 press clips across states. Other factors emerged in conversations. For example, a Democratic state legislator from Kansas said, “My GOP colleagues are getting younger and with that closer to the pain of trying to find and afford child care that is right for their family. They want a solution, too.” - Elected Officials Want and Appreciate Outside Partners, Including Foundations
New Mexico Governor Grisham and California State Senator Skinner both acknowledged from the podium that child care wins in their state happened in part due to the work of the organizers with whom they shared the stage. Maine Senate President Troy Jackson joined a panel to talk about gains in funding won in the state legislative session, and shared in a conversation that he had worked closely with groups and the Right from the Start Coalition to push for these wins. State legislators need support from knowledgeable outside partners, said one state legislator reporting on a breakout session, “including from foundations.” State leaders also stressed the importance of increased federal investments for child care and acknowledged that state investments alone will not create the transformation that families and providers need and want. - Foundations Should Fund Multiple Strategies and Take the Long View
Legislators are tackling child care challenges from many perspectives, and some acknowledged it might take years to get to the wins being described by panelists. These leaders are committed to going back next year with new ideas that they heard in this event, and building toward that moment when a breakthrough occurs. A legislator from Minnesota shared that he and other child care champions had tried multiple strategies for years. Then, when the state had a budget surplus this year, there was a coalition of legislators who wanted to use part of it for child care. All stakeholders can play a role and need foundation support: parent and provider organizers, policy advocates (national, state and local levels), budget analysts, and other allies.
The energy and commitment to child care that emerged from the White House meeting ought to be matched by that of philanthropy. No matter the mission and goals of each ECFC member, we all have an opportunity to play a role in continuing the push to reform and transform child care to work better for children, families, and the millions of early educators working with our children every day.
To connect with article contributors, contact ECFC.