Pandemic Caused Significant Child Care Struggles for Already Vulnerable System, Experts Say at Hearing

Mar 2, 2022
Press Release
American Rescue Plan has aided recovery, but long-term investment is needed

Washington, D.C. (March 2, 2022) – Today, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, chaired by Rep. James E. Clyburn, held a hearing to examine how the coronavirus pandemic impacted the child care sector, and the effects on families and the economy. 

Chairman Clyburn said in his opening statement, “The coronavirus pandemic has put tremendous strain on America’s families and caregivers.  Many of us have seen firsthand—in our own families, with our friends, and among our coworkers—the difficult challenges that parents, teachers, and other caregivers have faced in the last few years.”   

“[T]he American Rescue Plan,” he continued, “included a historic $39 billion investment in child care. This investment has already had a positive impact on child care providers … When we support American families and invest in the professionals who help to care for our nation’s children, we are making an investment in both our present and our future.  The time is now to invest in child care providers and families, so that we can build a better, stronger and more equitable economy."   

Today’s witnesses were: Gina Forbes, early childhood educator and parent from Brunswick, ME; Dr. Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan; Dr. Lea J.E. Austin, Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Childcare Employment at the University of California; Dr. Lynette M. Fraga, CEO at Child Care Aware of America; and Carrie Lukas, President of the Independent Women’s Forum. 

Witnesses provided the following testimony at the hearing: 

The Coronavirus Pandemic Hit the Already Vulnerable Child Care Sector Particularly Hard, Forcing Parents and Caregivers to Leave the Workforce. 

  • Dr. Fraga testified that “the pandemic illuminated both the dire state of child care in our country and how vital it is to the well-being and economic security of our children, families and communities. The child care industry was already in crisis. When COVID-19 was layered onto the already fragile child care system, it shattered.”  

  • In a response to a question from Rep. Carolyn Maloney about the pandemic’s long-term impact on women in the workforce, Dr. Stevenson said, “With so few child care spots available right now at such a high cost, I think it’s going to be a long time for women and parents to get back.” 

The American Rescue Plan Provided Desperately Needed Relief to the Child Care Sector and to Parents, Saving Jobs and Child Care Centers. 

  • Ms. Forbes testified that the American Rescue Plan’s expanded child tax credit was “very helpful” for her as a parent of young children. She said, “It came in and it went right back out the door to pay for child care costs.” 

  • Dr. Fraga said that the American Rescue Plan “has been a lifeline for children, families, child care providers, communities, and the economy…helping to rebuild and stabilize child care programs across the country.” 

  • Responding to a question from Rep. Jamie Raskin about the impact of the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dr. Stevenson said, “Right now when child care costs more than it has in the past, that tax credit is really essential to get parents back into the labor force.” 

Sustained Federal Investment Is Necessary to Finally Make Quality Child Care Affordable for American Families, and to Support a Robust, Equitable Recovery. 

  • Dr. Austin testified, “Critically, relief has helped many hold on, but it cannot, nor was it designed, to provide long term fixes.  Our economy relies on workers who are parents, many parents cannot work without reliable child care, and child care cannot work effectively until its own workforce is secure. Dependable, long-term investments that decouple what parents can afford from what workers are paid is key to ensuring that child care programs are able to stay open and to recruit and retain staff.” 

  • In response to a question from Rep. Bill Foster about why investments in child care benefit all Americans, Dr. Stevenson said, “When we look at high quality early childhood education, what we see is about one dollar in spending returns nine dollars to the taxpayer down the line.” She continued, “[P]arents would make these investments themselves if they could afford to…But the taxpayers can do it, and they would get the money back.” 

“I want to make it clear to America’s families and caregivers—those that care for young children—that their sacrifice, determination, and hard work is recognized and valued,” Chairman Clyburn said in his closing statement. “We must continue to dedicate the necessary resources to ensure that child care is affordable, caregivers are well-paid, and that any parent that wants to rejoin the labor force is fully supported.”  

Click here to read Chairman Clyburn’s opening statement. 

Click here to watch the full hearing. 

117th Congress