Update: Senate Study Committee on Child Care Affordability
Dear GCCA Members,
We want to share some exciting updates from the Senate Study Committee on Access to Affordable Child Care which were released this afternoon. Over the past few months, GCCA has worked closely with the Committee, sharing our recommendations in writing back in August and testifying before the Committee earlier this month.
Key Recommendations
The Committee shared ideas to help child care providers and families. Here are some of the main points:
- Helping Child Care Workers
- A tax credit for early childhood teachers.
- Looking at ways to pay infant and toddler teachers more fairly.
- Ensuring workplaces support new and expectant parents.
- Helping Families Access Child Care
- Expanding tax credits to help with child care costs.
- Creating a Georgia child care tax credit.
- Appropriating more funding for CAPS in an equitable way for all families.
- Improving Provider Funding
- Offering state child care funding streams, such as a Boost 2.0, to support programs with proven success.
- Adjusting CAPS funding rates to be more equitable across zones.
- Using surplus funds to create a new child care trust fund to help providers.
What This Means
We are happy to see the Committee recommend many of the ideas GCCA proposed. But remember, these are just recommendations—they are not final yet, and it may take time before any changes happen. Any policy recommendations are still subject to the legislative process before there is any binding impact on state law or the state budget.
GCCA’s Role
GCCA has been your advocacy voice throughout this process. We shared ideas on solving workforce challenges, funding gaps, and rising costs, and we’re proud to see these reflected in the recommendations.
What’s Next
This report is a big step forward, but the work isn’t done. GCCA will keep pushing for progress and sharing updates with you.
Thank you for all you do for Georgia’s children and families. Your support helps us keep moving forward together.
Warm regards,
Ideisha Bellamy
CEO, Georgia Child Care Association
How Can I Get Involved?
**Would you like to get involved with advocacy? GCCA has an Advocacy Committee which is composed of GCCA members who meet monthly to advance the Association’s efforts to support child care providers. Email me at ideisha@georgiachildcare.org to learn more about getting involved.