Legislators And Advocates Discuss Urgent Need To Support Childcare Workforce

by Mia Palazzo

HARTFORD, CT – Advocates, parents, providers, and lawmakers gathered Thursday at the Legislative Building to urge lawmakers to increase funding for child care services as the Committee on Children holds public hearings on budget allocations.

During their news conference, advocates introduced the Workforce Child Care Bill (Senate Bill 1369), which has a goal of capping child care costs at 7% of a household’s income.

The bill, supported by the Child Care for CT coalition, seeks to ease the financial burden on families while stabilizing the state’s child care workforce through higher wages for providers. Advocates said the bill will create a sustainable funding source through a small charge on Connecticut employers, ensuring long-term stability for child care programs.

“We need to break down the systemic barriers that are keeping families in poverty,” said Rep. Corey Paris, a Stamford Democrat who co-chairs the Committee on Children.

Paris said that without substantial reforms, the cost of child care will continue to force parents out of the workforce, exacerbating economic disparities across the state.

According to the CBIA, Connecticut parents spend an average of 27% of their annual income on child care, making it one of the most expensive states in the country for working families. This high cost has contributed to a labor shortage, with about 73,000 job vacancies across various sectors as parents struggle to balance employment with child care responsibilities.

“The price of child care rivals that of a college education or monthly rent,” said Corlays Santana,  a policy and program associate with the Connecticut Project, a nonprofit social change think tank.

Santana noted that affordable child care is essential for families as well as the state’s economic health, as affordable and available child care enables parents to remain in the workforce and contribute to the economy.

In addition to the Workforce Child Care Bill, several other legislative proposals seek to improve the accessibility and affordability of child care.

Paris said House Bills 6899 and 5003, and Senate Bill 6, are intended to expand financial assistance programs and increase support for child care providers to prevent closures and improve wages for workers in the sector. 

HB 6903 includes a pilot program to disseminate essential child care and financial assistance information to expecting parents, ensuring families have access to resources before their child is born.

Sen. Ceci Maher, a Wilton Democrat who serves as the Senate co-chair of the Committee on Children, stressed that child care reform is also crucial for addressing the state’s youth mental health crisis. She pointed to HB 6951, which would expand behavioral health services and ensure children receive timely and appropriate care. 

“For years, we have seen a growing mental health crisis among our youth,” Maher said. “Ensuring access to affordable child care is a key piece of this puzzle.”

Asked by an attendee how these proposals fit into the state’s financial plan, Paris explained that Gov. Ned Lamont has shown a commitment to supporting families through initiatives such as universal pre-K and expanded school meal programs. Advocates believe their child care proposals align with the governor’s broader goals and should be prioritized in the budget.

“The governor has spoken about increasing childcare funding, and we see this as an immediate need,” Maher added. “We cannot afford to wait. Families need relief now.”