Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, KY – This week, the Kentucky Senate ensured final passage of Representative Samara Heavrin’s House Bill 561 – an important measure that takes steps to strengthen Kentucky’s vulnerable child care infrastructure.

By permanently establishing the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership (ECCAP) and creating the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program, HB 561 has the potential to support a strong local workforce and economy for families to grow and thrive. The ECCAP program – which Kentucky has been nationally recognized for – is a workforce recruitment and retention tactic that extends businesses the opportunity to offer child care benefits to their employees. Similarly, the measure also helps remove local zoning barriers to entrepreneurs working to open a family child care home to serve their community.

We thank Representative Heavrin for championing HB 561 and the Senate for ensuring its final passage this session. As the bill moves to the Governor’s desk, we urge the Governor to sign HB 561 to support the stability and future of the child care system. And as the General Assembly negotiates the final state biennial budget, our hope is that the priority remains on bolstering investments in early childhood education and the workforce that upholds the prosperity of all other workforces.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.