The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is the primary source of federal funding to help increase the health, safety, and quality of child care and make child care assistance a more stable support for families. Quality child care enables parents to work or go to school while providing their children with safe and enriching environments where they can learn and thrive. Because of the CCDBG, thousands of hardworking Utah families have access to high-quality child care for their kids.
Congress is currently considering an Appropriations Bill that would increase funding for the CCDBG. We do not know as of today whether Congress will complete a bill this session, but what we do know is that we need an increase of $1.2 billion in CCDBG funds in order to ensure that no additional children lose child care assistance. We also know that Congress is working right now to decide on how to proceed with the Appropriations Bill.
It is absolutely critical to keep the importance of increasing funding for child care before the Congress as we move forward, and to do that we need your help. So today we are asking you to please contact your representative in Congress to ask that the 2017 Appropriations Bill include a $1.2 billion increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
For 30 years now, Voices for Utah Children has called on our state, federal and local leaders to put children’s needs first. But the work is not done. The children of 30 years ago now have children of their own. Too many of these children are growing up in poverty, without access to healthcare or quality educational opportunities.
How can you be involved?
Make a tax-deductible donation to Voices for Utah Children—or join our Network with a monthly donation of $20 or more. Network membership includes complimentary admission to Network events with food, socializing, and opportunity to meet child advocacy experts. And don't forget to join our listserv to stay informed!
We look forward to the future of Voices for Utah Children and we hope you will be a part of our next 30 years.
Special thanks to American Express, our "Making a Difference All Year Long" sponsor. 
