4-C and other child care advocates in Kentucky have worked tirelessly towards a rate increase for child care providers and parents across the state.
We are happy to say that effective December 1, 2018, reimbursement rates for providers have increased to 40% of the 2017 Market Rate Survey.
For parents, the income guidelines have increased allowing them to remain on the financial assistance program with income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, up from the previous 165%. Furthermore, effective June 28, 2019 the program will allow post-secondary education or training to fulfill the work requirement. While there is still work to be done, we are pleased with the changes and the opportunities that they offer for our families in Kentucky.
4-C and friends made you a digital quilt to show our love and appreciation. May this quilt of thank you notes and testimonials provide as much warmth and comfort as you give our children each and every day.
Click here to read the full length testimonials or add one of your own.
Congratulations! You’re making a difference! Over 1000 messages, hundreds of phone calls and hundreds of names on petitions have all been sent to the Governor regarding the impending $86 million cut to child care.
Now that we have Frankfort’s attention, we need to move our message throughout the General Assembly and demand immediate action. If keeping citizens working is a priority of our elected officials, then the General Assembly and Governor Beshear must find the resources to protect that priority!
Kentucky’s extremely fragile childcare system, like all small business, depends on a precarious balance of profit and loss, economic conditions, and a competitive marketplace. These 2,400 small businesses employ 12,500 people who earn an average wage of a little over $19,000. It also enables the parents of 65 percent of our children under the age of five to go to work every day. Not just low-income parents, all parents.
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family services warns that these cuts will result in more parents out of work because they cannot afford child care. According to the Cabinet, the cuts could mean as many as 28,000 fewer children will be served each month.
On Thursday, February 7 thousands of advocates will descend on the Capitol to meet with legislators and show their support for Kentucky’s children and families. On that day our message will be clear: Child care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for all working families.
If you are interested in attending there is still time to register. If you are unable to attend please let your voice be heard by taking action and sending this message to your legislators.
The news of massive budget cuts this week makes us all ask if kids count in Kentucky. That is a haunting question given the deep cuts to children’s supports on Tuesday, January 29. Next Thursday, February 7, is Children’s Advocacy Day (CAD) at the Capitol. It is THE day to make your voice heard for kids. Whatever your passion – fending off those Cabinet cuts; child fatalities due to abuse and neglect; human trafficking of young people – CAD is the place and the time to make a difference.
Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices on behalf of children’s safety, health, education and economic well-being. Hundreds of advocates from over 50 counties now gather at the Capitol in Frankfort every year to ask legislators to invest in kids.
Expect to see elected officials, social workers, teachers, judges, doctors, public health experts, therapists, members of the military, seniors, and kids come together to rally on children’s issues and talk to legislators. Click here for more information.
The 9th Annual Children’s Advocacy Day will take place at the Capitol in Frankfort on Thursday, February 7, 2013.
Unlike the Red Ryder BB gun in the classic A Christmas Story, the toys suggested by the folks at Not Just Cutewill safely delight your child while teaching school readiness skills. But, shhh, don’t tell them they’re learning math, reading and writing skills. Just watch and enjoy.
Entering kindergarten can be stressful for the whole family. Here is information for families on registering for kindergarten and also the 2013-14 JCPS Elementary School Clusters. While this won’t take care of the first day jitters for kids(or parents), knowledge is power and we want everyone to have a powerful start in “big school”.
Susan A. Vessels
Executive Director
Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)
