Mucarsel-Powell files bill for child-care providers to access PPE for coronavirus
U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell introduced a bill Wednesday that would allow for child-care centers to use federal funds to invest in personal protective equipment and cleaning materials, as providers are facing steep challenges to remain open during the pandemic.
The new Ensuring Protection in Childcare (EPIC) Act is part of a larger federal child care package proposal, the Child Care is Essential Act, that is set to be addressed in the U.S. House of Representatives next week. The bill would create a $50 billion fund within the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to support the industry through the COVID-19 crisis.
If it passes, Mucarsel-Powell’s legislation would assure that child-care providers who apply for the federal grant program can use some of the funds to acquire any necessary equipment to keep child-care workers and children safe.
“I think this is one of the most basic, straightforward federal issues that we can address right away to appropriate, to make sure we have the funding necessary to support our child-care centers,” Mucarsel-Powell said in a virtual press conference.
The child-care industry, which is considered an essential service in Florida, has remained open through the crisis. In Miami-Dade County, 823 child-care providers who contract with the Early Learning Coalition were open as of Wednesday, while 347 of them remain closed.
While some child-care centers continue to struggle to acquire enough PPE, most providers are feeling the deeper financial sting of low attendance rates and are struggling to pay their staff.
A recent survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children of over 5,000 centers around the country found that on average, most centers have seen a drop in enrollment of about 67%. Up to 73% of programs said they’ve had to resort to layoffs, furloughs or pay cuts to remain in operation. For minority-owned businesses, only 12% have been unaffected by staff cuts.
“Economically, they’re upside down... We know that without substantial federal funding, the industry will collapse,” said Rihan Evans Allvin, the CEO of the association.
The proposed $50 billion fund is one of several packages being considered in Congress. The Center for Law and Social Policy, a national policy research organization, estimates that Florida could receive more than $3.1 billion in funds for the federal block grant if the relief fund is approved in full.
“This bill is just going to be one more resource for child-care centers, for parents to know that they will be able to drop off their kids in a place that’s going to be safe,” added Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat.
Anne Hedgepeth, senior director of federal and state government affairs for the research and advocacy nonprofit Child Care Aware of America, said many leaders in the child-care industry are supporting the relief package, which would allow for child-care providers to use funds to pay staffers or other supplies.
“This act should put some momentum in negotiations for the next relief package... which must include an investment in child care,” said Hedgepeth. “Without child care, there is no economic relief.”
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 7:13 PM.
