U.S. Faces Child Care Crisis as Pandemic Relief Funds Expire, Threatening Thousands of Centers and Millions of Children
The U.S. is facing a "child care cliff" with the expiration of pandemic emergency relief funds that have supported child care centers, leaving up to 70,000 centers at risk of closing, potentially displacing 3.2 million children. These funds, part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), have been essential for stabilizing childcare businesses, improving worker pay, and keeping costs manageable for parents. Without this funding, childcare centers may struggle to operate, impacting parents' ability to work and costing them an estimated $9 billion in lost earnings. While some lawmakers have proposed the Childcare Stabilization Act to provide additional funding, its passage is uncertain in the current political climate.
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The U.S. is facing a "child care cliff" with the expiration of pandemic emergency relief funds that have supported child care centers, leaving up to 70,000 centers at risk of closing, potentially displacing 3.2 million children.