SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-SNOWE CHILD CARE FUNDING INCREASE

Washington, D.C. -- The Senate today approved an amendment that would increase mandatory child care funding by $7 billion over five years. Senator Susan Collins was an original co-sponsor of an amendment that was introduced today by Senator Olympia Snowe. The funding is distributed to state programs that help low income families pay for child care under the Child Care and Development Block Grant program. Under this amendment, Maine would receive an additional $27 million in mandatory child care funding over a five year period.

"Child care is not only important to the welfare and developmental health of a child, but also to the welfare of their parents. When a parent is reassured that their child has a place to go where they will be safe and where they will learn, then the parent has greater flexibility to earn a living for their family," said Senator Collins. "Many families have a difficult time balancing the need to work and the need for child care. Often a parent's salary is almost completely offset by the cost of child care, and this burden is particularly heavy on low income families. This funding will ensure that more parents get the support they need to keep their children safe and make a living."

Senator Snowe's amendment would increase mandatory child care funding by $6 billion over five years in addition to the $1 billion already authorized under the House and Senate Finance Committee's Welfare Reauthorization Bills. The cost is offset by the extension of certain Custom User Fees, so it does not create an additional burden for taxpayers.

Maine Community Action Association, Maine Child Care Resource Development Network, Maine member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, and the Maine Women's Lobby support the amendment. The amendment is part of the Welfare Reauthorization Bill that is currently being considered in the U.S. Senate.