Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, has introduced the “Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020,” which will ensure child care providers across the country receive the federal support they need to continue servicing the working families of America.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, along with Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., recently led the introduction of the legislation in the Senate. The proposal was included in the Senate’s HEALS package.

“We care about our nation’s children because they are the future of this great country. As this health and economic crisis continues to disrupt daily life, child care providers have been acutely hurt by the pandemic,” Reed said. “It is only fair we act to ensure providers have the resources they need so working parents can continue to access the local child care services their families deserve. This bipartisan legislation will support children’s early educational development and help our economy get back on track.”

The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 supports economic recovery and helps parents go back to work by providing:

¯ Resources to help child care providers reopen and stay open

¯ Nine-month financial assistance for providers to open, welcome children safely, and ensure a robust child care sector is available for families

¯ Allows states to design state-specific plans to support child care centers, operators, providers in their state

¯ Sends money to child care providers more quickly without administrative red tape

¯ Safe environments for children

¯ Requires all providers receiving assistance to follow all state and local health and safety guidelines

¯ Requires states to ensure a diverse field of child care setting options for parents, including center-based, family child care, and faith-based options.