What Oregon moms told me in August
I just participated in a roundtable discussion to talk about the challenges Oregonians face finding and paying for childcare. It's clear: Oregon families are struggling to afford the ever-increasing costs of childcare. Oregon moms shared their stories of wanting to return to work after having children, but childcare was hard to find and, when they could find it, prohibitively expensive.
This is the reality faced by too many parents. With the cost of childcare increasing and options limited, too many parents are left scrambling and stressed. They want to do what's best for their children, but the cost can put their family's financial security and future at risk.
This is unacceptable, and it's time for Congress to take action. Here's what we need to do:
- expand access to affordable preschool and pre-kindergarten programs;
- make childcare affordable for all families;
- implement paid family leave; and
- make sure childcare workers are compensated fairly.
Childcare should be an enriching experience for children, bring peace of mind and flexibility for parents, and provide fair compensation for childcare workers. Today's children are the leaders of the future. Investing in them is the right thing to do.
Thank you for standing with me – and with children and families,
