Keating Applauds Reauthorization of Child Care and Development Grants
Press Release
Today, Rep. Bill Keating issued a statement on the passage of the bipartisan, bicameral agreement of S. 1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Reauthorization of 2014. Established by Congress in 1990, the CCDBG is the primary federal law that funds child care for low-income families. Under this law, children under age 13 in low-income families and in which the primary caregivers are working or in education and training programs are eligible to receive child care services. The reauthorization makes significant changes and improvements to the quality of care given and expands access to programs that are funded by the CCDBG, including provider training, improved child-to-staff ratios, additional health and safety requirements, and new supportive resources for parents.
"Child Care and Development Block Grants have long been a vital resource for working families throughout our region, so I am pleased to see so many improvements being made for the families that rely on these services each and every day," said Rep. Keating. "As a parent, I understand the necessity of finding quality, safe, and reliable child care services, as well as how important access to these services is to working mothers in particular. For these reasons, I have long supported CCDBG grants as I believe that all children and families deserve access to the very best child care services. This reauthorization will make it possible for low-income Massachusetts families to pay for child care so they can return to work or school."
"These child care funds are vital to families in our district who otherwise would be unable to keep their jobs or attend school or training programs that will allow them to advance in their careers," said Patricia Daly, executive director of the South Shore Community Action Council. "South Shore CAC has been able to use this funding, in conjunction with Head Start and other programs, to provide a continuum of child care for families in the Plymouth area, which has been especially important during the economic downturn. We are very pleased to learn that Congress has re-authorized this program, and are grateful to our representatives in Congress for advocating so strongly for its passage."
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