CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE UNVEILS CHILDCARE AFFORDABILITY AGENDA TO LOWER COSTS FOR WORKING FAMILIES

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle unveiled his Childcare Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive package of federal legislation he supports to lower childcare costs, expand access to affordable, high-quality care, support childcare providers, and strengthen the workforce families depend on every day.

Announced alongside local childcare advocates and community leaders, the agenda responds to what families across Monroe County continue to identify as one of their greatest financial challenges: finding childcare that is both affordable and available.

“We owe working parents more than empty promises. We owe them concrete, common-sense solutions, and that's exactly what my Child Care Affordability Agenda delivers,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “At a time when families are struggling to afford everyday essentials, Donald Trump has driven up costs while continuing to ignore the childcare crisis that parents have been sounding the alarm about for years.”

Pete Nabozny, Deputy Executive Director of Programs at The Children’s Agenda, said: “Every young child in our community deserves safe, nurturing, and reliable child care. Parents in our community should never be forced to leave the workforce because they cannot afford child care or cannot find a trusted provider near their home or work. Rochester’s economy will flourish when our children, families, and businesses are positioned to thrive. Congressman Morelle’s Child Care Affordability Agenda helps address our affordability crisis, will grow our economy, and prepares the youngest members of our community for success in school and beyond. At a time when so many families are struggling with the cost of child care, we need the federal government to act in a meaningful way. The Children’s Agenda thanks Congressman Morelle for this bold child care plan and looks forward to working with him to enact it into law.”

Child Care Council CEO Rose Shufelt said: “Our community faces a child care crisis, with a shortage of providers and child care that simply isn’t affordable or accessible for many families. Child Care Council commends and thanks Congressman Joe Morelle for putting forth this comprehensive agenda to address this crisis by making child care more accessible and by helping ensure that child care providers have the workforce they need to provide the best care.”

For families throughout Rochester and across New York, childcare has become one of the largest household expenses they face. At the same time, provider shortages, workforce challenges, and a lack of available childcare slots continue to leave many parents with impossible choices between their careers, their finances, and their families. More than 70 childcare sites in Monroe County permanently closed between 2020 and 2022, while much of New York remains a childcare desert, limiting options even for families who can afford care.

Congressman Morelle's Childcare Affordability Agenda includes:

• The Child Care for Working Families Act, which would cap childcare costs at no more than seven percent of a family's income, expand universal preschool, strengthen Head Start and Early Head Start, and raise wages for early childhood educators.
• The Child Care Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill to expand childcare assistance, strengthen provider reimbursement, and invest in new childcare facilities and capacity.
• The Child Care for Every Community Act, establishing a universal childcare and early learning system while investing in workforce recruitment, training, and retention.
• The Child Care Workforce Act, a bipartisan proposal creating targeted wage supplements for childcare workers in communities experiencing the most severe workforce shortages.

During the FY2027 appropriations process, Congressman Morelle also fought for increased federal investments in childcare, including:

• $12.4 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG);
• $500 million for Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS);
• $14.3 billion for Early Head Start and Head Start.

Congressman Morelle will continue working alongside childcare providers, educators, parents, and community partners to advance policies that reduce costs, expand access, and ensure every family has the opportunity to thrive.

To stay up-to-date on Congressman Morelle's work on behalf of Rochester families, visit his website or follow his social media channels.

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