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American children and families are at a crossroads, and without congressional action, access to child care will be in critical jeopardy across the country.
More than a month ago, $24 billion in emergency relief funding from the American Rescue Plan expired, creating grave uncertainty for tens of thousands of childcare providers who relied on these funds to meet the needs of working families in their communities.
On behalf of the 2,600 YMCAs across the country, and the millions of families we support, I am asking Congress to support the president's request of $16 billion in critical emergency funding to assist struggling childcare providers.
The YMCA has long been the nation's leading nonprofit provider of childcare programs, which are foundational to our commitment to support and strengthen families and nurture the potential of every child we serve. We believe all young people should get the support they need to thrive.
However, without continued funding there will be a long-term effect on the childcare system and the well-being of our nation's children and our economy.
More than 86 percent of YMCAs that responded to a recent survey said they received childcare funding from the American Rescue Plan. These funds have been critical in supporting early learning, afterschool and summer programs, staff retention and a host of other essential services.
Without this $16 billion investment, childcare providers will be forced to make difficult decisions. We'll have to consider reductions in staff and program offerings, leading to fewer options and prohibitively long wait lists for parents. Children and families will be adversely affected—that's an unavoidable consequence of this crisis unless Congress acts. Providers need supplemental support to hire and retain skilled staff, keep programs affordable for families, and ensure that programs remain in business.
Accessible programs like ours are the cornerstone of our nation's workforce and economy. Families and employers rely on these services. Parents should not have to choose between providing for their families and ensuring their kids are in safe and enriching environments. And employers need a stable workforce with a pool of employees who have quality care for their kids.
When my two children were young, finding care for them was a top priority, as my husband and I were both working full-time. Our family would not be where we are today if we didn't have childcare for our kids during those formative years.
The expiration of this funding comes at a time when our nation should be doubling down on support for childcare programs that prepare students for school and complement what they learn during the school day. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to learning loss, chronic absenteeism, and mental health challenges. Research shows afterschool programs and summer programs have myriad social, emotional, and cognitive benefits for children and improve school attendance, class participation, class behavior, and homework completion. These programs also support learning recovery and help reduce chronic absenteeism.
We also can't ignore that our children are facing an epidemic of loneliness and isolation and a profound mental health crisis. The caregivers in these programs help children build relationships and feel a sense of belonging.
The YMCA is here to support families. We care deeply about each one we serve, and we will continue to do everything we can to meet their needs. But without action from Congress, our ability to provide accessible, affordable childcare for families who need it will be diminished. That's the unfortunate reality of this crisis.
We are grateful to the many lawmakers who have already advocated for emergency childcare funding and urge all members of Congress to join them in supporting working families. Nothing less than the futures of our nation's children is at stake.
Suzanne McCormick is President and CEO of YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the 2,600 YMCAs across the country.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
