🚨 Exciting news for DC families & child care providers! @OSSEDC has just released an updated version of the Child Care Subsidy Policy Manual! 📄⬇️

📌 Manual: https://t.co/pN04GtFprw 📌 Summary:

This is a step in the right direction towards creating equitable and accessible child care in our community! Stay tuned for an @Under3DC blog post where we’ll break down these changes further 📝

@OSSEDC These updates will: ✅ Make child care more affordable and accessible for families ✅ Support early educators & staff by making more child care workers eligible for subsidies ✅ Expand access to early learning opportunities across DC 🌱

@OSSEDC BIG changes 🔹Simplified eligibility & more fams qualify for $0 copays 🔹Eligibility decided in 10 biz days w/ complete app 🔹DC resident staff at licensed CDFs qualify if household income <300% FPL ($74.5K for fam of 3) 🔹QIN& PKEEP kids eligible regardless of immigration status

Taylor Swift and Pope John Paul II are among those who cuddled koalas at Lone Pine Sanctuary. But the Australian park abandoned the activity after visitor feedback.

Expanding access to these evidence-based programs for expectant parents is so important, and I'm proud to see funding in the budget for them. Thank you, @CMCHenderson, for your partnership!

Today’s passage of the FY25 budget includes important wins 4 children, youth, families & educators. We are grateful 2 @CouncilofDC & @ChmnMendelson 4 responding to our coalitions’ advocacy & public outcry opposing Bowser’s proposed cuts, elimination of critical programs 1/4

We are grateful to see @ChmnMendelson and @councilofdc reverse @MayorBowser's elimination of the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund by restoring $70 million to the program for the 2025 fiscal year. 1/4

But when public $ shrink and child care salaries slide, caregivers are forced out of the field, programs shrink, parents cut hours, and the economy contracts because employers can't keep staff. DC's Fund is a national leader in countering this danger. @WeAreDCAction @CitizenCohn

Thank you @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMCHenderson @CMFrumin @CMLewisGeorgeW4 @CMZParker5 @charlesallen @BrianneKNadeau @CMBrookePinto for lifting up support for FULL Pay Equity Fund restoration. We must keep our promises to educators + families so our #childcare sector can thrive.

As more than 1,000 providers shut their doors for a Day Without #ChildCare, @USATODAY examines a few numbers that reveal why the landscape is in crisis. https://t.co/llJms4dRW7 #Under3DC

Speaking at today's Early Childhood educator Pay Equity Task, a child care program director on HealthCar: "I've been in this field for 30 years and when I tell people that my teachers have health care, they're always surprised and impressed"

Early childhood educators, we appreciate you. And you deserve better. The workforce is paid so little that nearly half live in families that depend on public assistance. Educators can’t earn less and families can’t pay more. Learn more: https://t.co/eR4ANpEusF #thankyouchildcare

Still wondering why the proposed end of the #WashingtonDC Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund is such a huge deal? Listen to The Daily Drum on @WHURfm tonight at 7. @CMZParker5 @SPACEsInAction + @ShaeHamCam will explain why it matters to DC’s economic well-being. #Under3DC

DCELC along with DC ACTION, Under3 DC and our early childhood organizational partners hope that @councilofdc can find the funds to restore the Pay Equity Fund. It is a beacon to Early Educators that their striving for degrees and credentials is important.

DCELC urges @councilofdc to restore all funds that the Mayor has advocated removal from the DC Child Care Subsidy program to ensure that all working families have access to child care in DC.

DCELC wants to thank the @councilofdc committee on health for finding funds to restore all cuts to the DC DOH Home Visiting Programs. They are needed to promote healthy, safe, and nurturing families in DC.

20+ #Washington child care facilities are participating in a day of action to send a clear message to @councilofdc: “Restore full funding to the Pay Equity Fund and reverse other #childcare cuts!” Read the #Under3DC press release https://t.co/6YE3KEXyW5