Date: 2008-04-14
Speaker: WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (democrat)
Chamber: H

Youre absolutely right. I want to tell another story and highlight the impact on another family. We talked about the Head Start program. There are also child care providers who provide wonderful service in those subsidized child care programs. And we have had frozen Child Care and Development Block Grant funding that has led to stagnant and even decreasing reimbursement rates for providers who care for those children receiving subsidies. In 2006. only nine States paid reimbursement rates that were on bar with what the Federal Government recommends. And one of those results is theres an alarming 35 percent turnover rate for child care providers because they cant afford to continue to work in that field. And I want to tell the story of a young woman named Kelly Matthews. Kelly is a child care provider in Iowa City. Iowa. I want to read you Kellys story in her own words. because this is how she described her situation. She said. "You and I share something important in common. We both go to work each day with a grounded. deeply held belief that we do our chosen work for one very simple reason. to change the world." And I know how many times I have said that the reason I do this job is to make the world a better place and to change the world. Kelly is right here with her kids in her program. She said. "I dont work in the Halls of Congress. but in my home. caring for children in my Child Development Home in Iowa City. What other reason. .aside from wishing to impact the future. -could motivate someone to take on a job with modest pay. no benefits and no paid time off? This isnt about a job for me. This is my profession. my chosen lifes work. And it is an amazing gift I am given each day to partner with the families I serve. 0l 2145 "I have built my childcare program around the ideas of community. caring for each other. and falling in love with learning. I love this work because I have carefully crafted a program where kids succeed in all these areas in amazing ways: When Claire (at 18 months) already knows how to comfort a friend. when Trae (at 5 years old) can easily count and set out the right number of plates for his friends at the lunch table. when Lexi (at 3 years old) works hard to write the names of the members of her family. when Gus (at 3 years old) knows how to care for his things and the things that belong to others. or when two toddlers are already capable of working out a conflict in a peaceful way without an adults intervention." what I wouldnt give for that in my house. "I know these children will be ready. not only for school. but just as importantly. for life. They will grow into adults that know how to take responsibility for themselves and how to care for others. how to problem solve and be creative in their endeavors. how to keep on trying. even when it is tricky." She said. "I take this work seriously. Approximately 50 hours a week of my time with children in my home. plus all the additional hours of paperwork. supply shopping. continuing education. networking with my colleagues. and add to that total. developing and presenting hours of training to inspire other family childcare providers to constantly improve themselves and their programs. But for those of us committed to our professions and our vision of an inspired word. it is all in a days work. isnt it?" That is what Kelly Matthews. this wonderful woman with all her children in her program around her. had to say about her work. and -it is the reason that we are standing here on the floor tonight at the beginning of the Week of the Young Child. I am so pleased that you have been able to join me. Ms. CLARKE. and I turn it over to you to close us out.