Advocacy Matters
Child care was in crisis even before the pandemic. Now it’s worse.
- 42% of child care programs report they are at risk of permanent closure due to COVID-19
- 29% of the child care workforce have been laid off or fired due to COVID-19
- Child care programs are experiencing on average a 41% reduction in enrollment
- Pandemic requirements regarding group sizes and sanitation have significantly increase the cost of providing care
We invite child care providers, parents, guardians, advocates, and legislators to join us for Legislative Town Halls in January. The discussions will focus on actions elected officials can take to support child care providers and families through the pandemic and recovery. Lawmakers will learn about the realities that constituents like you face as small business owners, child care providers, and caregivers.
All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom. Please RSVP so we can show state legislators how important child care is to all of us! Folks who register will receive the Zoom link via email, and up to 100 registrants can participate in each town hall. The town halls will also be recorded and shared publicly following each session.
English RSVP – https://forms.gle/ZE4scE9LZanKNGjx9
Español/Spanish RSVP – https://forms.gle/vx7Qh2CQrQQKSFpB9
Soomaali/Somali RSVP – https://forms.gle/qKrc62fh6MntNs3s6
Protect Existing Investments
Wednesday, January 6
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please use above link to RSVP
Legislator Q & A
January 7, 2021
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join via this Zoom Link
Supporting Families
Tuesday, January 12
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please use above link to RSVP
Supporting Providers
Thursday, January 14
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please use above link to RSVP
Professional Learning Community
In addition, an Advocacy Professional Learning Community (PLC) of child care providers in NW Washington meets every month on the third Wednesday from 6:30 – 8 p.m via Zoom. You are warmly invited to participate, hear from guest speakers, and collaborate on advocacy ideas as we learn together and take action on issues that matter most to us. For more information, contact Jaime Ruth or Angie Scharbau.