McSally Joins Child Care Providers to Learn about COVID-19 Challenges

Statement

U.S. SENATE -- U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) joined child care business owners and operators from communities across Arizona in a virtual conversation to listen and learn about their unique challenges through COVID-19.

"The current child care crisis is hurting working parents across our state, especially working mothers," McSally said. "Thank you to the child care business owners and operators who shared the challenges they are facing with me today. I introduced legislation that would provide grants to child care providers so they can provide safe environments for Arizona's kids, and last week I voted to provide $15 billion for child care services and funding for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans. Unfortunately, that bill was blocked from moving forward. I'll continue fighting to get child care providers the additional resources they need to care for our kids and support working families."

Unplanned disenrollment of children, combined with the increased costs needed to adhere to additional health and safety guidelines have made many child care business nearly inoperable. This is serving to keep American women out of the workforce. A July 2020 Census Bureau survey found that mothers, ages 25-44, are almost three times as likely as fathers not to be working during the pandemic due to child care issues.

Child care programs that participated in yesterday's conversation with the Senator include Sprouts Preschool in Show Low, the Easter Seals Blake Foundation Palomita Children's Center in Safford, and Whiz Kidz Preschool in Phoenix. Also participating in the meeting was Barbie Prinster, with the Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, who represents 350 child care programs across Arizona and First Things First, Arizona's early childhood agency.

"Small businesses across Arizona have been devastated from this pandemic, and child care is no exception," said Martha Picciao-Mazor, the owner and founder of Whiz Kidz Preschool with locations in Scottsdale, Mesa, and two in Phoenix. "My child care programs have suffered immensely because of the tremendous decline in enrollment, and I appreciate the opportunity to share my story with Senator McSally."

Background:

On September 10, McSally voted to provide targeted COVID-19 relief to Arizona families, including $15 billion in child care services funding.
On July 20, McSally introduced the Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 to provide 9-month financial assistance to child care operators so they could safely operate.
On May 11, McSally signed onto a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership requesting additional support to child care providers and workers across the country that have been impacted by the pandemic.
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