![]() The progress we have seen would not be possible without the infusion of federal funds through the American Rescue Plan, but we cannot stop here. ![]() Policymakers across the political spectrum are beginning to understand how low compensation for our early childhood workforce perpetuates a broken system. In short, we are experiencing some powerful positive momentum and dramatic increases in awareness about the fundamental importance of child care to families, employers, and our economy. And DCC is investing in an apprenticeship program that will connect teachers with mentors and cover costs for training, curriculum, and coaching. Advocates are hopeful they will further increase reimbursement rates using ARPA funds.Īdditionally, Kentucky is using ARPA funds to offer educator training focusing on supporting children with special needs and building director skills. The state legislature allocated an additional $12 million in state general funds to support a $2/day increase in reimbursement rates starting July 1, 2021. ![]() Providers will also be getting a much needed increase in subsidy reimbursement rates for children who participate in the Child Care Assistance Program, which will also help cover increased wages. The good news is that Kentucky is using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) stabilization funds to offer financial incentives to child care providers who raise wages for staff. However, without accompanying pay increases, teachers who acquire credentials have little incentive to stay in licensed child care settings, and many move on to Head Start and public preschool programs after completing their training. Kentucky also has minimal requirements for its child care educators though there have been recent efforts to increase the availability of scholarships for early childhood educators and increase pathways to professional development. It’s also a social justice issue, as our early childhood workforce is predominantly made up of women with higher proportions of immigrants and people of color.īeyond wages, only a fraction of child care providers are able to offer their teachers benefits such as a retirement plan disability, health, and dental insurance paid sick leave or discounts for the care of their own children.
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