March 8 2024- The child care industry is facing challenges as the Cabinet for Health and Family Services allocates approximately $293 million in leftover stimulus money to the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). This decision, as highlighted in a legislative committee meeting by Secretary Eric Friedlander, has sparked concerns. The author questions why the remaining funds aren’t directed towards providing “continued stipends” for child care facility owners, enabling them to pay livable wages to retain their staff. The House of Representatives had allocated around $80 million over two years for child care in their budget, but it seems to be focused on CCAP rather than directly supporting the child care industry. The author expresses gratitude for being included in the budget but emphasizes the need for a clearer direction of funds to address the industry’s challenges. The article concludes by mentioning the anticipation of the Senate budget disclosure.
https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article286125076.html