Arizona has now denied child care subsidies to over 13,000 children of qualified low income working families over the last 15 months. This a disaster for children, parents and for the child care centers who support them. Here's what the Arizona Child Care Association has just reported:
"In February 2009, the State began turning away all eligible families and placing them on a “waiting” (denial) list. The Governor and legislature will turn away all eligible children until at least June 2011, dramatically reducing child care for low income working families. As families struggle in the current economy to provide for and protect their children, the State has stopped helping low income parents who want to work but cannot afford child care. Reducing child care support jeopardizes the safety of children and is having a serious negative economic impact: reducing employment and damaging small businesses and non-profits.
FAMILIES WANTING TO WORK ARE BEING TURNED AWAY WITH NO END IN SIGHT. “Waiting’ makes no sense; parents are denied child care at the very time parents need help to accept a job or keep working. The State provides child care for families with ties to welfare and CPS, but is phasing out subsidy for new parents wanting to work to avoid welfare:
• Before the waiting list, 48,300 children received a subsidy versus 32,118 in March 2010
• With 16,728 fewer children, the total subsidy program has decreased by 34% already.
• Over 13,000 children have been placed on the waiting list with 15,000 projected by June 2010.
• By June 2011, overall 50-60% fewer children will receive a subsidy.
• 23,000 fewer children from low income working families will receive subsidy, a 76% reduction."
We need your help!
The Arizona Child Care Association and the local Early Care and Education Consortium have begun a "Campaign to End the Child Care Subsidy Turn-Away List"
Please visit this Arizona Child Care Association link to see the video on the impact of the denial list on Arizona families and to send your comments to our legislature in support of child care.