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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) toured Tutor Time in Canton, and held a roundtable with child care providers and parents to discuss the impact of the rising cost of care on Michigan families.

“Caregiving is the foundation of our economy - it allows for all other work to be possible. No one can do their job if their children aren’t cared for. But quality, affordable child care remains an expense that many American families cannot afford,” Dingell said. “It’s time to make investing in our country’s care infrastructure and workforce a priority to bring down costs and expand access to care. Today, we spoke to both parents and providers about the challenges they face finding and providing care, and what Congress can do to solve these problems.”

“We were honored to host U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell at our Tutor Time location in Canton, MI, to discuss our commitment to helping families access quality and affordable childcare,” said Joanna Cline, Learning Care Group Executive and Michigan District 6 Constituent. “Partnering with Government leaders who advocate for family-focused policies is an important part of the work we do to support our communities, and I was proud to speak with Rep. Dingell about this issue today.”

According to Bridge Michigan, the child care crisis costs Michigan $2.9 billion annually in turnover and lost taxes. 

The cost of childcare has risen more than 30% in the last six years. In more than half of the states in America, the average annual cost of full-time child care is more than the average annual cost of in-state college tuition.

The Department of Health and Human Services reported that a $52.5 billion investment in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic:

1. provided stabilization grants to 220,000 providers associated with up to 10 million children;
2. lowered child care costs for more than 700,000 children;
3. increased compensation for more than 650,000 child care workers; and
4. created 300,000 new child care slots. 

View photos from the event here.