Caregiving is essential rural labor, and we need to support parents, grandparents, and kinship caregivers who sustain families and communities. Child care in rural America is extremely limited, with a gap of 35%. Limited access prevents parents from entering the workforce, creates barriers for businesses to hire staff, and reduces tax revenues.
Support Child Care
- Cap child care costs so rural families are not forced out of the workforce.
- Subsidize rural child care providers, including small businesses and Tribal entities. This will help close the access gaps and maintain the availability of child care centers. Protect and expand federal food programs to ensure that providers can offer nutritious meals and that rural children do not go hungry.1
- Support rural child care workers with fair wages, training, and benefits so they can remain in the workforce and sustain high-quality care.
Notes
- See the Child Care for Every Community Act. The Expanding Child Care in Rural America Act directs USDA rural development to prioritize child care businesses and facilities in existing programs. Support the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program.