By Bill Parry
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) came to Corona to announce legislation to increase access to quality and affordable child care for low-income families.
He announced his proposed Children First Act of 2014 at The Child Center, at 34-10 108th St., March 20, citing a recent analysis of New York City neighborhoods that ranked Corona second in terms of unmet demand for child care.
“For many parents, the skyrocketing costs of child care place a significant burden on family budgets that are already stretched thin,” Crowley said. “Working parents shouldn’t be forced into a corner when it comes to ensuring their children are cared for during the day. That’s why I’m pleased to introduce a measure that will help more families access affordable, quality and reliable child care.”
Crowley’s office provided numbers that show the average annual cost of child care ranges from $3,704 to $16,430 for full-time care depending on where the family lives, the type of care and the age of the child. Often, child care costs are higher than other household expenses and typically exceed the average amount families spend on food, mortgages, transportation and utilities.
Over a quarter of a million fewer children received child care assistance in 2012 than 2006, according to Crowley’s office The Children First Act would expand funding for child-care assistance for low-income families through the Child Care and Development Block Grant, one of the main federal funding sources that supports early care and education.
Nearly 2.6 million children receive federal subsidies or vouchers to help manage the high costs of child care, according to Crowley’s office.
Crowley’s legislation would increase funding for these subsidies by $18.8 billion over 10 years. The increased funding, combined with other federal sources, would allow 1.4 million more children to have access to safe and affordable child care in the first year alone.
“We are thrilled about this legislation and honored that Congressman Crowley chose to announce it here at our site,” Child Center Executive Director Traci Donnelly said. “By investing in quality early childhood education and child care, we make it possible for parents to go to work knowing their children are safe and cared for so they can build a better future.”
The average price of full-time care in center-based settings total $14,939 for an infant and $12,355 for a preschooler annually. More than 40,000 New York City families are currently estimated to be on a wait list for child care subsidies.
“Making child care more affordable for families is just one piece of the puzzle,” Crowley said. “We must also focus our energies on other economic challenges facing women and families today.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
