As a part of the state budget recently passed, the legislature finally granted the Department of Economic Security the authority to expend $56 million in new annual federal childcare money. ADES moved swiftly to begin using these new dollars to increase scholarship rates and to serve more children.
The ADES has already implemented a provider rate increase with the funds (the first since the since before the recession). The childcare wait list has also been suspended, meaning that families that are eligible for childcare assistance will be able to begin services immediately (this is the first time since 2009 there has been no wait list).
Thank you to all the parents, champions, and partners who called for investment of these funds in these three changes. Advocacy works!