Actions: Protect and Prioritize Child Care

Like many of you, we are seeing a growing sense of urgency among advocates who want to take action and urge Washington to protect and prioritize child care. Below we’ve highlighted key actions to align with the latest developments on the Hill and in the White House, including FY25 budget talks (the Continuing Resolution expires on March 14) and tax-related Reconciliation votes (potentially happening next week.)

We have a short window of opportunity to be heard – please take action and help share these with your networks.

1. Budget/CR: Fund Head Start at levels proposed in the Senate Labor/HHS bill

Congress is now figuring out what to propose for the FY25 budget before CR expires on March 14. 

More information: Kathleen Havey, National Head Start Association.

Actions:

• Contact Your Members: Start here with the National Head Start Association action tool;
• Amplify the Impact: Share stories about the impact Head Start has had on children and families on social media (tag Congress members!), write letters to the editor, and spread the word in local newsletters.
• Provide Information: If staffing cuts at the Office of Head Start have had a negative impact on your program, please email specifics to NHSA at grantsupport@nhsa.org.

2. Reconciliation/Tax: Protect and expand the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

The first vote on the budget reconciliation may be next week, giving us a small but important window to make sure Members to hear about the strong support for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.   

More information: Sarah Rubinfield, FFYF

Action:

• Send an email or make a call to your Members of Congress urging them to protect and expand the CDCTC using the FFYF action center.
• Share support for the CDCTC by retweeting this graphic; tag your Members of Congress.