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By Shira Small

Across the country, parents, providers, and Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administrators are struggling with a child care sector that doesn’t fully meet families’ needs or support the child care workforce. To discuss the state of child care, key progress that has been made, and the work yet to be done, we brought together a virtual panel of child care experts for a webinar series in October in partnership with Economic Policy Institute’s Economic Analysis and Research Network. These experts were:

To build on the knowledge and insight they offered during the webinar, this Q&A uplifts the panelists’ reflections on how their states are strengthening the child care sector and addressing the inequities that make child care less accessible for people of color and people with low incomes. Policy must be informed by people directly impacted by it, and we are grateful that our panelists were willing to share their perspectives on the change needed to create a more equitable, accessible, and affordable child care system.

Question for the full panel: We know that the state of child care is challenging across the country, though the needs of families and the workforce differ state to state. What does child care access look like in your state or community?

Belvie: Although Delaware boasts a mixed delivery system offering families choices, the demand for quality child care outweighs the supply. According to the Rodel Foundation, as of May 2024 the total licensed capacity statewide was 53,640 but the estimated number of children aged zero to nine was 109,075. The annual price for center-based infant care in Delaware is $14,995 or $1,250 per month, and $10,146 for home-based infant care or $846 per month. To put these figures into perspective, the annual in-state undergraduate tuition for Delaware State University is currently $8,358! We’re currently enhancing the state eligibility system to include a child care waitlist function.

Carol: The pandemic shined a light on the huge need for affordable child care, but that need was huge before and it still is. We estimate that Mississippi is currently only serving about 30 percent of the children in families who qualify for child care assistance. This means a huge increase in public funding is needed to serve more eligible families. Our state doesn’t invest in CCDF (beyond the required state match) or Head Start, and we don’t have a statewide pre-K program. So, we push for increased investment in CCDF, such as using federal TANF welfare funds, and workforce funds, that can be used to expand services to serve more eligible families.

Charis: Child care access is a significant obstacle to Ohio women participating in the workforce. A lot of parents and mothers can’t stay in the workforce because there is no child care for them. For single-income families, the lack of affordable care can make a parent stay home and need government assistance, when affordable child care would help them stay in the workforce. There are families I know that barter, staying at work longer so their employer takes a little off their child care costs, in order to pay their bills. And it’s not fair that you have to stay away from your family longer to try to afford care.

Kristi: In New Orleans, child care access remains a critical challenge, particularly for low-income families. Programs like Early Head Start, Louisiana’s Child Care Assistance Program, and City Seats aim to expand access, but limited funding and a shortage of high-quality centers create barriers. Initiatives like the Early Childhood Education Fund provide critical support, yet the demand far exceeds available resources. Providers also face staffing shortages and low wages, impacting their ability to meet community needs. Expanding investments in subsidized seats, increasing teacher pay, and supporting infrastructure improvements are essential to ensuring all families can access affordable, quality child care.

Question for Belvie: As an administrator, what do you think needs to happen to create sustainable change within child care?

To witness a sustainable change in the child care sector it will take more than funding! We need to shift the paradigm and the way we think about child care. The initial way to do so is to change the language we use. Instead of using the term “child care,” we need to refer to the industry in broader terms such as the use of the term “early care and education.” My belief is that once the paradigm shift takes place, early care and education professionals will become a part of the country’s K-12 system and will receive the same salaries and benefits that [those educators] receive. Unless and until we make this complete paradigm shift and begin to think about early care and education in this broader way rather than simply “child care,” the system will remain a broken one.

Question for Carol: What is one accomplishment you are most proud of in your work over the last few years that improved child care in Mississippi?

That is an easy question – there is absolutely no contest for the answer! Last year we succeeded in removing a child support requirement from our state’s child care assistance program. We worked 19 years for this. The state imposed a requirement that was not federally required, that single parents had to cooperate with child support enforcement in order to qualify for child care assistance. This policy deterred the parents who needed child care assistance most. Since this change went into effect, the state has reported that over 17,000 children have gotten child care assistance who wouldn’t have qualified to receive assistance before this change.

Question for Charis: What do you, as a parent and advocate, think is most needed to get to transformative change that meets the needs of children and families?

Transparency. If parents have an ask, and policymakers can’t meet that ask, that needs to be said. Focus groups help give parents a voice and a seat at the table so there is no question what parents need and what we’re asking for. That way policymakers can see the information and the statistics about parents’ needs and move forward from there knowing what we want. Parents not having a seat at the table doesn’t just impact if we can afford child care, but it concerns the education and quality of care our children get. Transparency affects it all.

Question for Kristi: At CLASP, we know that the best policies and programs are crafted with the people who are most likely to be impacted by them. From your perspective, how can providers and parents be better centered in the policy-making process?

Providers and parents must have a seat at the table during policy discussions to ensure their lived experiences shape decisions. Establishing advisory councils that include diverse stakeholders, conducting focus groups, and holding community listening sessions are crucial steps. Policies should be informed by real-world challenges, such as workforce shortages and affordability. Simplifying feedback mechanisms and compensating participants for their time shows respect for their contributions. Transparent communication and accountability from policymakers are essential to build trust. When parents and providers are empowered as co-creators, policies are more likely to address the actual needs of families and the child care workforce.

To learn more, the full webinar is available to view here.

This statement can be attributed to Olivia Golden, interim executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy

Washington, DC, December 23, 2024—On Saturday, President Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government through March 14, 2025. After placing a prior bipartisan agreement at risk to provide easier passage for future tax cuts for billionaires, House Republicans finally introduced the CR just hours before a potential federal government shutdown on Friday.

In addition to continuing the core public services that were placed at risk by the possibility of a shutdown, we are pleased that the short-term budget signed by President Biden provides important disaster relief funds, including support for child care access in areas recently devastated by natural disasters. With the shortage of early educators and affordable, accessible child care in the affected states, the costs of disaster recovery are too significant for any one family or employer to address on their own.

However, we are concerned that this short-term budget stripped out other important provisions included in the earlier, bipartisan CR. For example, the final proposal fails to include a key provision that would have reimbursed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients for benefits stolen through no fault of their own. We remain deeply concerned that the House majority prioritized the possibility of tax cuts for billionaires over the needs of working people. Yet we remain committed to advocating for policies that center workers, reduce poverty, and address the institutional and racial barriers faced by communities of color.

This webpage consolidates resources from CLASP and partners on immigrant mental health in the U.S. These include fact sheets, reports, and resources for advocates, immigrants, practitioners, and policymakers.

Trainings

Apps, Toolkits, Resource Library

Directory and Direct Services

Helpline and Online Therapy

Reports, Infographics, and Publications

Language Directory

 

Engage With Us!

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, please email 📧Isha Weerasinghe and📧Suma Setty.

This statement can be attributed to Wendy Cervantes, director of immigration and immigrant families at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).

Washington, D.C., December 13, 2024–This past week, the incoming Trump Administration announced its intention to end long-standing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines to restrict immigration enforcement activities in places deemed critical for children and families, such as hospitals, child care centers, schools, and places of worship. We applauded the protected areas policy when it was revised and strengthened by the Biden Administration in 2021 to include food pantries, vaccination sites, and disaster relief locations, as well as places where children gather, such as playgrounds.

Any plan to rescind the protected areas policy is just part of a wider effort to instill fear in immigrant communities and deter parents from taking their child to the hospital or dropping them off at child care or school. We witnessed how immigration enforcement efforts under the first Trump Administration impacted participation in early childhood programs and deterred parents from accessing lifesaving services, creating stress for families, care providers, and entire communities. The principles behind the protected areas policy are rooted in the recognition that immigration enforcement does not have to come at the cost of the health and well-being of children, including U.S. citizen children in mixed-status families.

With or without a formal DHS policy, we stand ready to ensure that families and care providers are informed about their rights and that families are able to meet their basic needs. We will not allow fear to stand in the way of human dignity.

See CLASP’s toolkit for early childhood stakeholders on how to keep their centers safe from immigration enforcement. CLASP also leads the Children Thrive Action Network, a coalition committed to defending and protecting children in mixed-status families.

By Suma Setty, Wendy Cervantes, and Juliana Zhou
CLASP submitted this statement for the record on December 10, 2024 to the U.S Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing titled “How Mass Deportations Will Separate American Families, Harm Our Armed Forces, and Devastate Our Economy.” This statement highlights the impacts mass deportations will have on children in immigrant families. The threat and reality of increased immigration enforcement, especially parent-child separation, has profound negative impacts on children and communities. These impacts include mental and physical harm, educational setbacks, developmental delays, and economic and housing insecurity. The statement also addresses the immediate and long-term consequences that will cause additional ripple effects on the well-being of families, especially when combined with other harmful anti-immigrant rhetoric and policy.
Read the statement here.

By

(EXCERPT)

Trump’s policies, on the other hand, appear to traumatize children by design to curb unwanted immigration. “Under Trump, previously and in the future, deep harm to children is absolutely intentional and in many ways is the entire point,” said Wendy Cervantes, director of immigration and immigrant families at the Center for Law and Social Policy.

Read the full article here.

Juan Carlos Gomez was featured in a story that aired on Nov. 15, 2024 about the ability of DACA recipients to access the Affordable Care Act.

News segment from 13 News

The statement can be attributed to Olivia Golden, Interim Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP)  

November 6, 2024, Washington, D.C.—Today, as we confront the prospect of a second Trump administration, we are deeply concerned about the significant impact of his administration’s policies. We know what his intentions are because he has stated them many times: to target immigrant communities, people of color, women, and LGBTQ Americans; to harm workers and people with low incomes, including threatening job protections and the right to unionize, for the benefit of billionaires; and to threaten core public programs and the capacity of public officials to do their jobs honestly, fairly, and without fear.

CLASP is prepared for this moment, informed by our experience in responding to the first Trump administration, which previewed all these threats. Our preparations include strengthening the powerful coalitions we are already engaged in, including those that protect immigrant families and children, and building new ones where needed; working with partners to build on our collective knowledge and expertise to slow down, minimize, and where possible prevent or mitigate damage; standing ready to build on our powerful past record of documenting the harm when it happens and telling the story to the public; moving the vision forward in the states; and bringing our deep knowledge into partnership with organizing and movement leaders.

CLASP has a long history of and commitment to advocating for the safety, rights, and economic security that families with low incomes, workers, children, and immigrants deserve. As these communities stand to lose the most under another Trump administration, it’s more important than ever that we remain steadfast in advocating for social, economic, and racial justice.

Donald Trump and his advisors have made no secret about their roadmap for administration priorities. It’s a path that will benefit the very wealthy while creating and exacerbating hardship for millions.  CLASP fought the fight to resist these priorities and elevate a very different vision during his first administration, and we are committed to doing so again.  As we prepare for this work, we are inspired by the partners who share this work with us.

By: Suzanne Wikle 

In 2024, a record 21.4 million people received their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces. Enrollment gains among Black, Latino, and people with low incomes drove the increased enrollment. Sustaining the policy choices that led to record enrollment and adding in long overdue eligibility for people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status will be important to keep up the momentum and keep affordable health insurance available. With these policies in place, 2025 is poised to be another record-breaking year for Marketplace enrollment.  

Several policies have led to this historic enrollment, but the gains are not guaranteed to stay, unless Congress acts.  

Enhanced Premium Tax Credits
People receive premium tax credits to purchase health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces when they do not have other affordable options. The premium tax credits lower the amount people pay every month for their premiums. Starting in 2021 the tax credits were enhanced, making Marketplace plans much more affordable. People earning less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level can be insured for $0 monthly premium; for those who had out-of-pocket costs, their premiums were reduced an average of 44 percent.  

Since the enhanced tax credits became available, 83 percent of the growth in Marketplace enrollment has been by people with incomes less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Black and Hispanic enrollment increased the most. Compared to 2020 (non-enhanced tax credits), enrollment in 2023 (with enhanced tax credits) increased by 95 percent among Black enrollees and 103 percent among Latino enrollees. Enrollment among American Indians and Alaskan Natives grew by 59 percent;, multiracial enrollment grew by 28 percent;, white enrollment grew by 25 percent;, and Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander enrollment grew by 14 percent. 

What’s at stake: The enhanced tax credits for Marketplace enrollments are slated to end on December 31, 2025. Congress must act to extend or make permanent the enhanced tax credits that have led to record enrollment, particularly among people with low incomes and people of color. Without Congressional action, we can expect to see fewer people enrolling in Marketplace coverage, greater out-of-pocket costs for those who do enroll, and an increase in the number of people without health insurance. An individual making $21,000 per year would have to pay nearly $800 more in annual premiums, and a family of four making $60,000 would see an annual premium increase of $2,700.  

DACA Eligibility for ACA Marketplace Tax Credits 

 When the annual open enrollment period begins on November 1, 2024, an exciting and long overdue new policy will take effect. People with DACA will be newly eligible to buy health insurance and receive tax credits through the Marketplace. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that around 100,000 people with DACA will enroll for 2025 coverage. The new policy also clarifies that other vulnerable youth, such as those who have been approved for Special Immigrant Juvenile status and those applying for asylum, will also be eligible for coverage.  

What’s at stake: DACA eligibility for Marketplace coverage is being challenged by some states. Oral arguments were held on October 15, 2024, but at the time of publication, people with DACA will still be able to enroll in Marketplace coverage and receive tax credits when open enrollment begins on November 1, 2024. 

The progress made connecting people with affordable health insurance options is the direct result of important policy changes. In order to continue the progress and not lose ground – especially for Black people, Latinos,  DACA recipients, and immigrant youth – we must ensure the right policies stay in place. Congress must act to continue enhanced premium tax credits beyond 2025 and ensure DACA recipients and immigrant youth continue to have access to affordable health care.  

 

CLASP and the Economic Policy Institute hosted a joint webinar on state progress in advancing equity in child care 

 

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

2:00pm ET/1:00pm CT

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) hosted a webinar about equity in the child care and early education space. We were proud to co-sponsor this webinar with EPI’s Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN) as part of their EARNTalk series. EARN is a nationwide network of research, policy, and advocacy organizations fighting, state by state, for an economy that works for everyone.

This virtual webinar features a child care provider, administrator, parent advocate, and nonprofit leader who will discuss the work happening across states to strengthen the child care sector and address the inequities that make child care particularly inaccessible for people of color and people with low incomes. The panel also reviews the current federal landscape for child care and what needs to change to help families access the care they need.

Speakers included:

Download and view the webinar recording with the passcode: 0%epN@Qk