Policymakers made essential and historic investments in child care

While so many states have stayed silent on child care during the pandemic, Vermont recognized early on that there can be no recovery without child care. Let’s Grow Kids is grateful for the vision and leadership of our state officials from Governor Scott to our legislative champions who heeded the call of Vermonters that child care is essential.

Since March, Vermont allocated more than $50 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to support child care. In addition, child care received one of the biggest increases in state general fund dollars in the entire budget that Governor Phil Scott signed into law yesterday.

These investments have allowed our children to remain in safe and nurturing environments and families to remain employed. It is no wonder our economy is reopened and we are the state with the lowest number of COVID-19 cases.

We have much to be proud of and still so much more to do. Until our child care system is truly equitable, affordable, and sustainable for all families, we need to continue these important investments.

All eyes are on Vermont to get this right and to finish the work we started. If we continue to work together, we know we’ll get there.

Read this press release on VT Digger and Vermont Biz.