October 2023 Email Update

STATE REPORT FINDS CHILD CARE IS UNAFFORDABLE FOR MOST VIRGINIA FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

In a new report released last month, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found that child care is unaffordable for 85% of Virginia families with infants, 82% of families with toddlers and 74% of families with preschoolers.

The inaccessibility is greater for low-income Virginians, with child care being unaffordable for 97% of families with preschoolers and 98% of families with infants or toddlers.

Virginia's Self-Sufficiency Programs and the Availability and Affordability of Child Care Report

Moreover, the state watchdog agency found that Virginia lacks sufficient child care slots, especially for infants and toddlers. As outlined in the report, the Commonwealth needs at least 140,000 more slots - including at least 33,000 infant and toddler slots - to meet current parent demand.  

Using temporary federal COVID relief dollars, Virginia has made significant progress in expanding child care access and choice as well as improving the quality of child care services; however, JLARC estimates that at least 25,000 fewer children will have access to subsidized child care when the federal funds end in the coming year. The agency states that Virginia will need to allocate $319 million in additional general funds in 2024 to maintain current child care services for Virginia families. 

JLARC conducts program evaluation, policy analysis, and oversight of state agencies on behalf of the Virginia General Assembly. Find the full report on Virginia's Self-Sufficiency Programs and the Availability and Affordability of Child Care here. 

WE NEED YOUR VOICE! 

UPCOMING ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES 

• November 4 | Virginia Organizing Grassroots Gathering 2023 | Hosted by member organization Virginia Organizing
• November 7 | Election Day 
  • Find your voting district information through the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP) here!
  • Check and update your voter registration through the Virginia Department of Elections here! 
• November 15 | November Virginia State Action Team Meeting | Hosted by member organization Save the Children Action Network

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

The Virginia Promise Partnership together with member organization the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy compiled a collection of firsthand stories highlighting the ongoing child care struggles faced by parents and families across the Commonwealth. Read the full 'Parents Speak Up!' storybook here!

Interested in sharing your story? Contact us as info@vapromisepartnership.com! 

ECCE COMMISSION RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT

Last month, Virginia's Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) released its October 2023 annual report. In the first annual report, the Commission identifies eight strategies to advance Virginia's current child care system, respond to the upcoming funding challenges, and address the needs of Virginia families, children, and constituents. 

The eight strategies outlined in the report include: 

1. Building on strong fundamentals of Virginia's existing child care system, including approaches to public-private partnership, funding based on the cost-of-quality methodology, and accountability and data transparency. 
2. Exploring public-private funding mechanisms to close the gap between family demand and state and federal funds. 
3. Applying innovative business sector approaches to incentivize business to play a larger role in developing and sustaining child care innovations.
4. Streamlining regulations to make it easier for providers to serve families in need as well as make it easier for families to access and navigate child care services.
5. Addressing workforce challenges by maintaining and expanding initiatives that address teacher shortages and other persistent workforce challenges.
6. Using family demand and choice to drive funding by codifying family demand-driven growth and choice into Virginia law. 
7. Recognizing early childhood as essential economic development by increasing public awareness of the importance of early childhood care and education and its benefits to the Commonwealth. 
8. Ensuring data driven decision making by maintaining focus on actionable data and measurable outcomes. 

The full October 2023 annual report can be found here. More information on the Commission's membership, meeting schedule, and history can be viewed through the Secretary of Education's website here and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) website here. 

CHILD CARE IN THE NEWS

• WCYB | Growing childcare crisis could threaten Southwest Virginia's workforce and families
• Richmond Times-Dispatch | Commentary: Improving child care access bolsters labor force, economy
• Cardinal News | Fast Track initiative increases child care worker training and pay in Southside VA
• HuffPost | I Make $22 An Hour In Roanoke, Virginia. This Is What I Spend On Child Care.
• Daily Press | Childhood center gets $1 million donation for new Newport News campus serving 200 kids
• WAVY | Most Virginia families with young children can’t cover child care costs, report finds
• WSET | Senator Kaine pushes for affordable child care following alarming Virginia report
• Virginia Mercury | State report finds child care is unaffordable for most Va. families with young kids
• Richmond Times-Dispatch | Virginia child care providers brace for funding cliff
• Augusta Free Press | After hours: Lawmakers support legislation to fund child care during nontraditional times

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