‘Hope is here’: VP Harris announces $39 billion aid for childcare centres

US Vice President Kamala Harris announced $39 billion in aid for childcare centres on Thursday. 

“With these funds, states can help hundreds of thousands of providers serving more than 5 million children,” VP Harris said in a press briefing. 

Earlier, Harris tweeted about the announcement. 

Part of the American Rescue plan signed by President Biden last month, VP Harris termed it “single largest investment in childcare in our nation’s history.” 

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Emphasizing the importance of relief reaching people and organizations in need “immediately and tangibly,” Harris said 159 million checks have been sent out and around 85% of American households are expected to receive a check by the time all the aid has been given under the leadership of Jean Sperling. 

The $20 billion funding for vaccines administration and distribution has been put to work. According to Harris, this is helping them to increase confidence in citizens, reach the hardest-hit communities and expand access through federally supported community vaccination centres, mass vaccination sites and mobile units. 

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The US government is administering an average of over 3 million shots in one day and over 20 million shots in a week, she said. 

While talking about schools and reopening them in pandemic times, Harris said, “$81 million has been sent out to the states to help schools get back in-person instruction. And address the learning, emotional and social needs of our students.” 

“The list goes on. Help is here. Hope is here,” she said. 

Talking further about childcare, VP Kamala said that even before the pandemic hit the United States, childcare cost too much. She said, “the pandemic has accelerated the flaws and fissures in our systems. Nearly half of parents say that their current childcare situation is unsustainable.” 

According to a survey quoted by Harris, one in four childcare centres have been shut down due to the pandemic.

Explaining the four consequences of childcare centres shutting down, the VP said, “One, a small business owner, most likely a woman, loses everything. Two, childcare workers, again most likely women and women of colour lose their jobs. Three, without consistent affordable childcare, parents, mostly mothers, are not able to go back to work. Four, children lose the safe nurturing environments that they need to grow.” 

Harris said there are 164,000 lesser childcare jobs now in the system as opposed to the beginning of the pandemic. 

The $39 billion aid announced will be sent to states, tribes and territories for support.