On April 27, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at enhancing the accessibility of child care services in the United States. The order is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to support families and children, particularly those who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The executive order includes several measures that aim to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care services for families across the country. One of the key provisions of the order is the establishment of a White House task force on child care, which will be responsible for developing recommendations to improve access to child care services and support for families.
The task force will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris and will include representatives from various federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Labor. The task force will also include representatives from state and local governments, as well as child care providers and advocates.
In addition to the task force, the executive order also directs federal agencies to take several actions to improve access to child care services. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services will be directed to increase funding for child care subsidies, which help low-income families afford child care services.
The order also directs the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to states and localities to help them improve the quality of their child care programs. This includes providing guidance on best practices for early childhood education and development, as well as strategies for recruiting and retaining qualified child care providers.
Another key provision of the executive order is the establishment of a new grant program to support the construction or renovation of child care facilities. The program will be administered by the Department of Treasury and will provide funding to states and localities to help them build or improve child care facilities in underserved areas.
Overall, the executive order signed by President Biden represents a significant step forward in efforts to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care services in the United States. By establishing a task force and directing federal agencies to take concrete actions to support families and child care providers, the Biden administration is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that all children have access to the care and support they need to thrive.
