Update from Bruce Liggett of ACCA:
"I was informed today (March 4) that DES has sent notices to parents in Fee levels 6, 5, 4, and two-thirds of Fee Level 3 to inform them that the last day that DES will pay for the care of their children is March 14th. In addition, notices will be sent to providers next week lowering payments by 5% and doubling co-payments for the second and other additional children in a family, both effective April 1st. The waiting list is in place for all new eligible low income working families.
Here is what we know:
- There are federal child care funds available to the State to restore these cuts.
- Governor Brewer has a plan to use the federal funds and restore these cuts and asked the legislature to give her a bill that would provide the funds by March 14th. It is very significant that the Governor mentioned child care so prominently in her speech to the legislature.
- It appears that key legislators may be willing to provide the funds to restore the child care cuts, but they may not have enough votes, may not make it happen by the date needed, and may want to include other items which could complicate an agreement.
- First Things First is putting together a plan to fund scholarships that would pay for child care for low income families. The details are not yet known but it is assumed that some families who lost DES child care would be able to receive a scholarship.
Fortunately there is still time, but not much. We have the next 8 days to get the legislature to act. It would be tragic if parents lost their jobs, or staff were laid off only to find that an agreement was reached or First Things First funds became available. Yet, parents and providers need to make their own decisions based on their personal situation.
I hope and believe that there will be a solution to restore some if not all of these cuts but it may not occur before March 14th and it may not completely restore the program. But, absolutely no one can give any assurances
Providers, parents and advocates still need to act. All of our attention should be focused on the legislature."
Call and e-mail your State Senator and 2 Representatives.
Find out who: http://action.voiceshub.org/caagetactive/leg-lookup/search.html
Put "Child Care - I live in your district" in the subject line.