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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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COLUMN/OP-ED
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Budget stalemate hurts some of the most vulnerable citizens:
Children
By State Rep. Ronald G. Waters
Child care services are one of the taxpayer-subsidized programs jeopardized by the budget stalemate. There are approximately 16,000 child care providers within the state of Pennsylvania. More than half (over 8,500) of the state’s child care providers accept some form of subsidies for services to low-income families. Child care allows parents to work or position themselves to work to support their families and to contribute to the economy of our state. The ongoing stalemate will only serve to deny low-income and single-parent families' access to nurturing and developmentally appropriate child care services. Child care assistance is essential for the economic well-being of the poor. Funding for this program should be maintained at the very least or increased during these difficult economic times.
Child care is a huge expense for most families in general, but the cost of child care oftentimes is extremely burdensome for the working poor. Both availability and affordability of child care can have a significant effect on the labor force participation of parents. Many of those dependent on subsidized child care are concentrated in low-wage, low-skilled jobs with limited flexibility when it comes to rearranging their schedules. Without adequate child care services these parents are left with very few options.
The safety and welfare of our children should be of paramount concern to all of us. The longer the stalemate lasts the more likely a large percentage of our constituents will be forced to resort to alternative forms of child care. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are going to hear and read about instances wherein children are being placed with unreliable care providers (i.e. neighbors, slightly older siblings, uncertified child care facilities, elderly/sickly grandparents), children left at home unattended, children left in vehicles unattended or parents quitting or losing their jobs to care for their children. These patterns of behavior are likely to become real possibilities in the coming days.
As the debate continues, let us be mindful that a substantial number of children receive their only nutritious meal of the day while in attendance at one of the state’s subsidized child care programs. In addition, many of the programs are responsible for creating an atmosphere where children are able to interact with other children, improve their social skills and increase developmental and learning capacities. Safe and affordable child care is crucial to the overall well-being of our children and their ultimate ability to grow up to become taxpaying citizens of the Commonwealth.
This discussion would not be complete without addressing the plight of the state’s child care providers. The stalemate has caused some facilities to cut services, lay off employees, cut employees’ work hours, discontinue the practice of paying their bills in a timely fashion (i.e. rent, utilities, vendors, etc.) and in some instances shut down the businesses permanently. These businesses are run by taxpayers. The stalemate has unfairly penalized them for their willingness to participate in state run programs.
No one can honestly deny the fact that the state established its subsidized child care services to address the need for reliable child care providers, minimize/curb the practice of leaving children at home unattended, provide financial relief for single-parents and low income families as well as assist those who were unemployed or on welfare. Child care is not a Democratic issue nor is it a Republican issue. It is a human issue. Child care is not a burden or a right, it is a necessity. The Legislature should not view child care as some sort of bargaining chip in the ongoing stalemate. Families and businesses are suffering while we have the collective power to alleviate the pain. It is finally time to end the stalemate and return to the very important business of serving our constituents, especially the children of this state who are our most innocent citizenry.
Rep. Waters represents the 191st District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes portions of Delaware and Philadelphia counties. He also serves as chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus.
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