Kamala Harris announces new steps to lower childcare costs
Vice President Kamala Harris announced new proposals on changes to rules to lower childcare costs for American families on Tuesday. One proposal will cap co-payments for working parents to 7% of a family’s income under the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program.
As well, it will try to make it easier for parents to access the program by encouraging states to accept online applications. Additionally, to automatically assume that siblings of children in the program are also eligible. Furthermore, it will ensure that childcare providers that participate in the program get paid on time relying on enrollment instead of attendance.
“Low-income families often spend one third of their yearly income on childcare, more than they spend on their rent or mortgage,” said Harris. “No family should have to choose between high quality care for their child or to give up their career or put food on the table.”