There are thirteen million children under six in this country who are in child care during the day. Yet the cost of most of high quality, affordable daycare is out of most of their families' reach. What the President is proposing is a solid start on meeting the child care needs of Americans working families. The 21.7 million cost spreads in over five years and focuses on existing programs that help families. The Welfare reform did not increase funds to help low income working families but people on welfare who are looking to get out.
Studies show that lack of quality child care prevents children form entering school ready to learn.
The message to members of Congress is to urge them to support efforts to pass a major child care package this year. We need to let them know that while we believe that the President's proposal is a good one, it should be seen as a solid foundation from where to build. We need to go evenfurther to support the child care needs of working families. It is estimated that 750,000 documented residents have lost their Food Stamps subsidies as of August 22, 1997. We are still working with our immigration, hunger and religious communities to restore Food Stamp benefits to immigrants.