Child care is often treated as a private family issue, but federal policy plays a major role in determining who can afford it. The Trump administration has proposed and enacted many funding cuts to various welfare programs around the country, and in early January of this year, child care funding was hit. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services froze funding in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF); One of the largest sources of childcare funding provided by the federal government. Along with this, the administration has tightened requirements for the funding itself. These decisions were sparked by alleged fraud in these states regarding child care funding. Although these decisions were targeted at other states in the country, they raise questions about what the future may look like for communities like ours. If our current administration continues on the path it’s on, it may affect the families, students, and teachers here at B-CC.
At B-CC, students have the opportunity to experience and watch child care and education firsthand on young minds through the Child Development Program. The Child Development class allows B-CC students to plan and teach classes for young children while simultaneously providing a daycare center for them. Junior Carina Palomino shares, “I decided to take child development because my mom has a daycare, and for a really long time I’ve been working with kids and helping her, and I really enjoy watching them grow up and learn” Although her mother’s daycare is not federally funded she shares her concerns, “I get worried that there’s going to be a shortage of supplies, because I think kids should be able to be creative and express themselves, and if there’s not enough funding, then there’s not enough creativity.” Aside from the obvious implications of these cuts, Palomino emphasizes that these programs stimulate creativity, a quality often disregarded by modern-day society. Kids are our future, and Palomino believes they deserve every resource to stretch their brains and set them up for success.
Juliet Cliche, a Junior taking Child Development, states, “I think cuts will shut down a lot of learning opportunities for people who can’t usually afford proper childcare, like private preschools…” The government has the power to open up a whole new world of opportunities for kids in need. If these opportunities are reduced, students who rely on subsidized care may lose access to early learning environments that help prepare them for future academic success. Palomino emphasized, “I think cuts to this funding can stop parents from having the best opportunities for their children, especially if they’re working two jobs.” For many families, affordable healthcare is not only about a quality education but also about maintaining the ability to stay in the workforce.
In order for our schools and community to stay diverse and equitable, we need our childcare system to stay intact. Although our area isn’t at risk yet, staying aware and educated about the events in other parts of the country is vital. All children and families deserve the best opportunities. The future starts with the young minds in our communities, and they must be prioritized.
