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Educators, families & allies are calling on #Congress to #SaveChildCare. Maybe you want to add your voice but aren’t sure how to respond to the various things policymakers might say? Each answer deserves more but here are some quick thoughts to help you get started! Thread/
Policymaker says: I want to help those who help themselves.
You say: Great. #Childcare providers are putting cleaning supplies on personal credit cards, forgoing salaries & drawing down their IRAs to keep their programs alive. They’re doing far more than their part.
You say: Great. #Childcare providers are putting cleaning supplies on personal credit cards, forgoing salaries & drawing down their IRAs to keep their programs alive. They’re doing far more than their part.
Policymaker says: I want to focus on small businesses.
You say: Excellent. Most #childcare providers are small businesses, with 675K of them generating $47B in revenue w/employment for 1.5M people. @CEDupdate
You say: Excellent. Most #childcare providers are small businesses, with 675K of them generating $47B in revenue w/employment for 1.5M people. @CEDupdate
Policymaker says: I want to focus on the most vulnerable.
You say: Let me tell you about the #childcare workforce. #ECE educators do highly skilled & valuable work while earning wages so low that half of them qualify for public assistance. @CSCCEUCB
You say: Let me tell you about the #childcare workforce. #ECE educators do highly skilled & valuable work while earning wages so low that half of them qualify for public assistance. @CSCCEUCB
Policymaker says: I’m just focused on getting people back to work.
You say: We feel the same way, but parents can’t work without #childcare which means the recovery doesn’t happen without childcare either.
You say: We feel the same way, but parents can’t work without #childcare which means the recovery doesn’t happen without childcare either.
Policymaker says: I really think we need to focus on rural communities.
You say: Such as those with #childcare deserts? Us too. Investments are necessary to keep these programs and communities alive. @CAPEarlyEd
You say: Such as those with #childcare deserts? Us too. Investments are necessary to keep these programs and communities alive. @CAPEarlyEd
Policymaker says: I’m worried about the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on communities of color.
You say: Yes, same! Funding #childcare is one of the best ways to support the women of color who are the backbone and majority of the #ECE field.
You say: Yes, same! Funding #childcare is one of the best ways to support the women of color who are the backbone and majority of the #ECE field.
Policymaker says: I think we need to focus our attention on schools.
You say: For families and communities, schools and child care are inextricably intertwined. Funding one without the other is a recipe for catastrophe.
You say: For families and communities, schools and child care are inextricably intertwined. Funding one without the other is a recipe for catastrophe.
Policymaker says: It’s just too expensive to fund #childcare.
You say: Actually, it’s too expensive not to, for families, businesses, and the economy. Plus, high-quality #ECE programs deliver a return on investment that outpaces average stock market gains. @heckmanequation
You say: Actually, it’s too expensive not to, for families, businesses, and the economy. Plus, high-quality #ECE programs deliver a return on investment that outpaces average stock market gains. @heckmanequation
Policymaker says: Well, what about the states that don’t spend all the money they have for #childcare?
You say: That’s a reflection of too much need, not too little. W/o knowing more is coming, states are trying to plan for the long term. Consistency & continuity are key.
You say: That’s a reflection of too much need, not too little. W/o knowing more is coming, states are trying to plan for the long term. Consistency & continuity are key.
Policymaker says: I think children belong at home.
You say: 67% of children under 6 have all available parents in the labor force. #Childcare is a must have, not a nice to have.
You say: 67% of children under 6 have all available parents in the labor force. #Childcare is a must have, not a nice to have.
And remember...your stories are the best way to respond to any policymaker’s concerns and questions. #Childcare is essential and so are the early childhood educators who provide it. Tell Congress that it’s time to #SaveChildCare.
