We're hearing some disturbing news out of DC. It seems that there may not be enough money in the COVID-19 4th package to support childcare as the country "reopens."

Call or email your Congressional Representative.....Even if you already did last week! Please make sure you thank those such as Rosa DeLauro and Johanna Hayes for all they are doing, but make sure you follow with the message that without funding our industry will be decimated! There is language below, a script that you can follow. Don't feel you need to read as written. Just use parts of it in your own words, or simply tell your story. Make sure you tell them you are from their district!

Rep. John Larson (1st District, CT) CT Office Contact: Lisa Perrone – [email protected] 202-225-2265

FB: @Rep.JohnLarson

Twitter: @RepJohnLarson

Rep. Joe Courtney (2nd District, CT) CT Office Contact: Emma King – [email protected] 202-225-2076

FB: @joecourtney

Twitter: @RepJoeCourtney

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (3rd District, CT) CT Office Contact -
Leticia Mederos [email protected] 202-225-3661

FB: @CongresswomanRosaDeLauro

Twitter: @rosadelauro

Rep. Jim Himes (4th District, CT) CT Office Contact: Sabina Dirienzo [email protected] & Will Haskell - [email protected] 202-225-5541

FB: @RepJimHimes

Twitter: @jahimes

Rep. Johana Hayes (5th District, CT) CT Office Contact:Madeline Daly, [email protected] 202-225-4476

FB: @RepJahanaHayes

Twitter: @RepJahanaHayes

Use this as a script or as a base for a script when you contact your MOC:

Right now, we’re hearing that the funding our child care system needs will be left out of the next COVID-19 relief legislation YET AGAIN.

Women are at the center of this crisis now - they are 93% of child care workers, losing income or their jobs entirely or serving as a key part of our public health infrastructure. Women are the providers trying to make ends meet as small business owners without revenue coming in; and mothers are serving on the front lines of this crisis in low-paid jobs and taking on the bulk of caregiving at home.

Recent analysis from NWLC and other partners shows that at least $9.6 billion each month is needed just to keep our system afloat. But so far, Congress has only allocated $3.5 billion in total to the entire child care sector.

If Congress doesn’t act, we may not have a child care system to return to - and women, especially women of color, will suffer the most as a result. Without child care, women will be the ones who have to take on caregiving and are unable to return to work or school. Hundreds of thousands of women- and minority-owned businesses will close their doors. And women who are child care workers will lose their jobs and income.

Join us in calling for Congress to include at least $50 billion in funding dedicated to child care in the next COVID-19 legislative package.

Your phone call to your representative will take just a minute, but it could help save the work and industry that makes our entire country run. Please call now.

Take action link: https://on.nwlc.org/3cpEChT

April 20th Updates

We're checking in with a few updates, as we continue with the COVID-19 quarantine. 

Federal Update from Liz Fraser (CAHS)

Payroll Protection Plan or PPP as of April 16, has run out of money. We are not sure what this means for those who have applied but have not yet been approved, or for those who have been approved but have not received funding. 

Meanwhile, Congress is working to put another $250 billion dollars into this program. However, there has been a hold up. Democrats are trying to make sure that small and micro businesses can access and benefit from the PPP by insuring a portion of the money is designated for the small businesses that were not able to access the first round of funding.

BUT there are many others who want the same rules and program as before, without these modifications.

While it is difficult, we must make sure that they pass a fair bill. It will not do us any good to have it pass quickly if you all can’t access the funding. 

Please know our CT delegation is really trying to do the right thing!

WE NEED YOUR HELP - You can send a letter to your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative. The letter template can be downloaded HERE. Please personalize the letter, then copy and paste it into the “Contact me” form on the websites of Senators Murphy and Blumenthal and your Member of Congress’s website. You can look up your Representatives HERE. 

UPCOMING CALLS:

• Tuesday 4-21-20 12 noon

CWEALF is hosting a Zoom event with Congresswoman DeLauro on women's economic security & COVID-19 on Tuesday, 4/21 at noon.

Registration here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_U03RrGB-T92OokMjgIfXoQ. They plan on specifically discussing PFML, paid sick leave, and UI provisions in the new federal laws, as well as what is still needed in the 4th relief package.

If you have questions you can write them in the registration form or let Liz know and she will get them to CWEALF

• Wednesday 4-22-20 9:30am Zoom Call -Woman’s Business Development Center WBDC link

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUtduCprT8rgSbM09jin78OzLhArHruXA

They can help you with your business planning including: what loans are available, how to apply, where are other resources. Bring your questions.

HEDCO loan questions are welcome! What is HEDCO? These are up to $10,000 lines of credit that can be forgiven. This can help in the short term waiting for PPP funds. Check out the link

CT Cares for Kids

• If you are taking care of essential workers kids, you can receive extra compensation for employees. 
• Module for reporting information is live!Try out the portal  and see what you will need for weekly reports.
• If you have not done so already, and have first responder children attending your program, call 211 to update your status as open.
• CT Cares for Kids link

Unemployment - DOL expects to have their online system to accept applications from self-employed people (family childcare) on Thursday, April 30th. DOL asks that self-employed people not apply until then. Self- employed people can claim full or partial unemployment and still receive the $600 per week federal supplement.  Self-employed people will be able to claim retroactively to the date that they lost income.

Supplies - OEC has received a shipment of cleaning supplies that are being distributed regionally for child care programs that are open and serving children can pick up by appointment.  Providers who have notified OEC that they are open should have gotten a message about this.  If you are open but haven't heard from OEC about supplies, contact  211.

Contact Your Members of Congress NOW!

(From First Five Years Fund) We need your help to ensure the child care industry receives the crucial support it needs to survive the mounting economic crisis.

Across the country, businesses and families are grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Congress considers a far-reaching economic stimulus package in response to this crisis, click here to contact your lawmakers in Washington and urge them to include robust support for the industry that makes it possible for millions of working parents to go to work each day: child care.

The nation is facing months of uncertainty and the potential for extended business closures due to the growing crisis. The strain being placed on our child care providers, who are already operating on razor thin margins, could force many out them of business permanently.

At the same time, as businesses and schools are being told to close their doors to limit the spread of this deadly coronavirus, countless workers on the front lines of battling this pandemic are still relying on child care to be able to show up to work and keep our country running. 

Congress needs to hear from as many people as possible that the child care industry requires substantial assistance in the upcoming economic recovery package.

Click here to contact your lawmakers now.