Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

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

LOUISVILLE, KY – A strong child care infrastructure will support a strong local workforce and economy. Representative Samara Heavrin’s House Bill 561, passed today by the Kentucky House, supports that notion by permanently establishing the Employee Child Care Assistance Partnership (ECCAP) and creating the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program.

As supported by the business community and child advocates alike, the ECCAP program extends businesses the opportunity to offer child care benefits to their employees in an innovative yet meaningful way. It’s a workforce recruitment and retention tactic that is win-win-win for families, child care programs, and employers. Similarly, the Certified Child Care Community Designation Program supports local entrepreneurs interested in opening a family child care home to serve their community to do so without facing local zoning barriers.

We thank Representative Heavrin for championing HB 561 and the House for ensuring its passage today. We now call on the Senate to ensure this legislation receives final passage before the final gavel in April.

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.