Pandemic-approved funding for child care and nutrition assistance has run out, and Congress must act. This "funding cliff" will leave millions of families without vital resources to help care for their children and thousands of child care providers will have to downsize or close outright. Ensuring a flourishing future for children requires that they have the necessary supports and resources to nurture their development, health, and well-being. We need care, not funding cliffs!
Two key programs that are crucial to fostering flourishing futures:
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) — WIC provides state funding for nutrition supports and resources for low-income pregnant and postpartum women, and to children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
- Child care — Congress provides state funding to help families pay for dependable child care that is critical for their child’s healthy development and their ability to work.
What’s at stake? If Congress fails to prioritize care for children and families:
- 70,000 child care centers will close their doors.
- 3.2 million children will lose access to child care.
- 600,000 mamas and babies will be turned away from receiving food that fosters their health and well-being.
What’s more is that adequately funding WIC is a long-standing, bipartisan commitment of our lawmakers. For nearly 25 years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pledged to provide enough funding for WIC to serve every eligible family.
We need families to thrive and not simply survive. Join us by calling your lawmakers and urging them to prioritize care not cliffs!