National Policy Trends

States across the country are implementing creative solutions to address the child care crisis. Here are just a few examples of the policy solutions states are enacting to support children, families, early educators, and businesses within their communities:

Policy solutions to help fund child care systems:

New Mexico designed a permanent fund to support early childhood initiatives within the state.
The rest of the US can learn a lot from how New Mexico is tackling the childcare crisis
and Early Childhood Education and Care Fund – New Mexico State Investment Council

Louisiana created a special state treasury fund to support early childhood education.
Louisiana Case Study

Policy solutions to support child care providers and early educators:

Washington DC now provides free or reduced insurance premiums for employees (and their family members) of licensed child care centers.
https://dchealthlink.com/healthcare4childcare-archive

Kentucky is piloting a program that allows early educators to qualify for child care assistance for their own children, regardless of their income level. https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dcc/Documents/childcareemployeeexclusionflyer.pdf

Policy solutions to support mixed-delivery systems:

Georgia’s mixed-delivery model allows for state-funded Pre-K to be provided at public schools, private child-care centers, faith-based organizations, Head Start agencies, state colleges and universities, and military facilities. http://www.decal.ga.gov/Prek/Default.aspx

West Virginia uses a community/county-level collaboration model to ensure mixed-delivery of publicly funded Pre-K within communities.
https://wvde.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WV-Universal-PreK-2019-Overview-final.pdf

Policy solutions to engage the business community:

Michigan’s new Tri-Share Child Care Program divides the cost of child care between the state, the employer and the employee.
Tri-Share Child Care Network

Kentucky’s new Child Care Assistance Partnership encourages employers to provide child care assistance to employees through the use of state matching funds.
Child Care Resources for the Kentucky Business Community.indd (kychamber.com)