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DEARBORN, MI - Today, Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Katherine Clark (MA-05), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) toured Wayne Metro Community Action Agency’s Early Head Start Program in Dearborn, MI to highlight the importance of critical early childhood investments included in the Build Back Better Act. The Congresswomen also led a reading circle for the children.

“It’s always a refreshing day when you spend time with children,” said Dingell. “Wayne Metro’s Early Head Start Program is critical for early childhood development, and I’m so thankful for their commitment to ensuring the success of every individual child. In Congress, we’re fighting for better access to quality child care in the Build Back Better Act, from lowering costs to strengthening worker benefits, so Michigan families can save thousands, parents can rejoin the workforce, and we can boost the economy.”

“Child care is foundational to a strong, inclusive economy. It’s what allows parents to work, our kids to thrive, and our economy to grow. That’s what we saw today at the Dearborn Head Start. As we aim to rebuild a stronger and more equitable economy, Congress is continuing to put vital programs like early education front and center – where they belong,” said Clark. “In March, we passed the American Rescue Plan, dramatically increasing our support for child care, early education, nutrition services, and employment opportunities through investments in Head Start. Now, we are steps away from passing the Build Back Better Act, which will raise wages for care workers, lower child care costs for families, and provide universal pre-kindergarten to all 3 and 4 year olds.”

The Build Back Better Act makes a historic investment to lower the cost of child care for working families, expand the availability of high-quality child care, and raise wages for child care workers. In Michigan, a typical family of four could save nearly $35,000 a year on child care with these once-in-a-generation investments.

“It was an honor to host Representatives Clark, Dingell, Tlaib and Lawrence today at our Dearborn Artspace Head Start,” said Jessica Moore, Director of Early Childhood Services for Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency. “Their continued commitment to early childhood education and the Build Back Better Act is poised to bring increased educational equity and opportunity – for our children, families and educators.”

Wayne Metro CEO Louis Piszker, CFO William Lane, and Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer Mia Harnos also attended the event.

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