McKee, Whitehouse advocate for federal funding for families and child care providers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Gov. Dan McKee and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse on Monday pushed for federal funding for families and child care providers at a rally in Providence Monday.

The rally was held at the Meeting Street School on Eddy Street.

Child care providers from the Meeting Street School and Rhode Island child care advocates joined McKee and Whitehouse.

“Federal action would boost Rhode Island’s investments in child care programs, affordability, access, and workforce retention,” Whitehouse’s office noted in a release.

Whitehouse said Rhode Island families spend about 27% of their income on child care, adding that the average child care costs can be over $10,000 each year per child under 4 years old.

To help solve the growing child care crisis, the senator is a cosponsor of bipartisan bills: Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act — addresses the national shortage of affordable and quality child care — Child Care for Every Community Act — Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s legislation that would create a universal childcare network of federally-supported, locally-administered child care options.

“I’m fighting down in Washington to pass sweeping investments in child care so providers in Rhode Island have the funding they need to attract and retain top-notch early educators while lowering costs for families,” said Whitehouse.