February 1, 2010 - Many Washington State parents already struggling to keep their jobs and to keep their kids in daycare could find themselves out of work if proposed cuts are made to the state's Working Connections Child Care Program.
The proposed cuts would be a lose-lose situation for parents, kids, child care providers, and the state of Washington.
Working Connections has been a God-send for many families, and without it some could be forced to quit their jobs, depending more strongly on the state.
"I receive assistance from the state and if I had to pay for child care full-price, it would eat up half my entire paycheck so it wouldn't make it worthwhile to work," said Tara B. of Battle Ground, "I'd have to either work part-time, which wouldn't make sense, or quit and go on welfare and food stamps, which I don't want to do."
The current recession has left many families struggling to keep food on the table and to make ends meet (click here).
As the economy very slowly begins to recover people are finding their way back into the workforce and are working to rebuild their lives. Many have been forced to take lower-paying jobs leaving them unable to pay for childcare.
At a time when parents need it most, the state is considering massive cuts to the Working Connections Child Care Program, a program that assists thousands of Washington parents each year in paying for childcare so they can work.
This would not only affect the parents. Children who are bounced from one situation to another and whose parents are in a constant state of worry do not fare well.
Children’s Alliance posted on their "No Kidding!" blog today detailing what this would mean to families and how you can get involved - it's the right thing to do for families, providers, and the state.
Post in Children’s Alliance 'No Kidding! Blog'
Child care subsidy for working parents in jeopardy
Submitted on Fri, 01/29/2010 - 16:26
Washington state lawmakers are considering a massive cut to the state’s Working Connections Child Care program. Losing this subsidy would be devastating to thousands of parents who are working hard to lift their families out of poverty. It could force them to quit their jobs or stop looking for work.
The Washington State Budget and Policy Center reports that having two children at a child care center costs about $1,177 per month on average. That’s more than half the total monthly income of a family earning $24,000 a year.
About 17,000 families would be kicked off Working Connections or denied a slot if the Legislature adopts the nearly $89 million cut that Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed in her December budget. (The governor's latest proposal, which relies on much-needed new revenue, calls for an almost $50 million cut; we estimate that could leave about 7,000 families in the lurch.)
Parents like Arnold and Ling Huan Lui, who are bakers with twins enrolled in Denise Louie Education Center’s full-day child care program, rely on Working Connections to make ends meet.
“Basically, my wife’s income goes to insurance and child care. Because of the WCCC, we don’t have to rely on other government assistance,” Lui told Janice Deguchi, the center’s executive director, who wrote about the family in a letter to the editor published in the Northwest Asian Weekly.
“Now is not the time to reduce child care assistance to working families,” Jon Gould, deputy director of the Children’s Alliance, told the Examiner.com. “The cut would also hurt child care providers, many of whom are struggling small businesses.”
Get involved and urge your lawmakers to protect Working Connections.
– Liz Gillespie
CONTACTS:
Jon Gould, Deputy Director
Tel: (206) 324-0340 x19
Cell: (206) 683-2674
Email: jon@childrensalliance.org
Leslie Dozono
Early Learning Policy Coordinator
Children's Alliance
Tel: (206) 324-0340 ext.20
Email: leslie@childrensalliance.org
Liz Gillespie, Communications Manager
Tel: (206) 324-0340 x18
Cell: (206) 589-0293
Email: liz@childrensalliance.org
Recession takes toll on Seattle families; some can’t afford enough food for their kids
No free lunch for Washington kids
Child care assistance on the chopping block; could force families deeper into poverty
Ways to get involved
Working connections
Children’s Alliance
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