March 2021 Monthly Update
MEMBERSHIP
We are pleased to welcome the following organizations as new NCFN members!
First 5 California
LISC Houston
THRiVE Community Building
The full list of NCFN Members is available on the NCFN website.
RESEARCH & REPORTS
New Resources Emphasize Policy Support for Home-Based Child Care Providers
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) has released a new Family Child Care Policy Framework that supports policies to advance family child care. Read the framework >
BPC also hosted a Family Child Care Roundtable on March 5 to discuss the importance of home-based family child care. Watch the recording >
Bellwether Education Partners has shared a new report, Bringing Home-Based Child Care Providers Into the Fold, which includes policy recommendations to ensure home-based child care is equitably included. Read the report >
How States Can Spend $10 Billion for Child Care Well, Wisely & With Urgency
NAEYC, Education Counsel, and CLASP have released a brief outlining strategies to implement the $10 billion in child care stabilization grants enacted in December 2020. Read the brief >
POLICY UPDATE
Congress Passes $1.9 Trillion COVID Relief Package
Last weekend the Senate passed a $1.9 trillion pandemic economic aid package modeled after President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. The Senate is now sending the bill back to the House for approval, and the President hopes to sign it into law before unemployment insurance benefits expire on March 14. The package provides nearly $40 billion to support child care. Highlights and additional details relevant to NCFN’s priorities can be found in this summary.
Congress Will Accept Earmarks in FY22 Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) recently announced that the House will accept member requests for Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, in appropriations bills for FY 2022. Community Project Funding directs federal funding for individual projects. The House Appropriations Committee will provide additional information about the criteria for Community Project Funding in the coming weeks.
Federal Legislation Would Invest in Child Care Facilities
Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA) is planning to reintroduce the Child Care is Infrastructure Act in the coming weeks. The legislation establishes a state infrastructure grant program funded at $10 billion over 5 years, carves out a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15% of the authorized funds to award grants of up to $10 million to intermediary organizations, and directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct two national needs assessments of early care and learning facilities – one to understand the impact of the pandemic and another to evaluate the ongoing needs of child care facilities.
Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Representatives Josh Harder (D-CA) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) also recently introduced the Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act (S. 133/H.R. 6540). The legislation establishes a $100 million grant program to address child care accessibility and affordability.
State Policy Spotlight:
Rhode Island Passes $15 Million Bond to Support Early Leaning and Care Facilities
On March 2, voters in Rhode Island approved a $15 million bond to support early learning and child care facilities. The child care facilities bond is designed to provide grant funds totaling $12 million for the development of new spaces, $2 million for facilities improvement grants and $1 million for technical assistance and training. Providers of all types are eligible for funding, and funding will begin to roll out this summer. The bond question passed with a resounding 66.8% voter approval, signaling a mandate for legislators to increase focus on this issue. The Rhode Island bond measure offers an effective model for other states and localities to consider in pursuit of increasing funding for early leaning and facilities.
NEWS & RESOURCES
Member News
NCFN Member Build Up for San Mateo County’s Children and the San Mateo County Child Care Partnership Council (LPC) are working to update the 2007 Child Care and Land Use Study — San Mateo County Child Care Coordinating Council. To support this effort, Build Up has requested that every Planning Department in San Mateo County participate by providing information regarding their General Plan, Zoning Map, and an analysis and interpretation of their Municipal Code. The data collected will be used to develop resources for San Mateo County’s ECE community and recognize cities engaging in proactive work. View sample questions >
As part of its BIPOC Interview Series, NCFN Member Enterprise Community Partners shared a conversation with Gail Neal from the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma, Washington. Read the interview >
NCFN Executive Committee Member LISC launched a new pilot program for “co-located” child care centers. Read about the pilot >
NCFN Executive Committee Member LIIF is highlighted in an ABA Banking Journal article, Pandemic Spotlights Critical Links Between Childcare and the Economy. Read the article >
Other News
Bipartisan Policy Center: Rethinking America’s Child Care System. Watch the video >
Forbes: Managing Childcare: The Power Of Family-Friendly And Inclusive Cities. Read the article >
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 30
New America: Reimagining Early Care and Education
Register here >