West Virginia Child Care Centers Facing Closure as Funding Deadline Looms

West Virginia Child Care Centers Facing Closure as Funding Deadline Looms

Child care centers in West Virginia are on the brink of closure as a deadline to secure funding to help parents afford child care approaches. Despite assurances from lawmakers and Gov. Jim Justice that child care is a priority, no action has been taken to address the looming crisis.

During a recent legislative session, policymakers failed to address the issue, prompting Gov. Justice to consider calling a special session in May. However, when the agenda for the special session was announced, child care funding was notably absent.

Efforts to allocate $23 million for a child care subsidy program, which would provide additional assistance to parents in need, were met with resistance. Lawmakers, including Health and Human Resources Committee Chair Amy Summers, pushed for the funding to ensure the stability of child care providers and support families relying on these services.

Despite the urgency of the situation, proposed amendments to allocate funds for child care were rejected in both committee meetings and on the House floor. Lawmakers expressed concerns about diverting funds from other critical programs and emphasized the need for a sustainable solution to the child care crisis.

Without new funds, close to 2,000 families across the state are at risk of losing their subsidies by the end of August. Child care providers have voiced their concerns about the impact of these closures on working families and the state’s workforce.

As the deadline approaches, lawmakers are urged to address the child care funding issue before the next regular session. The future of child care in West Virginia hangs in the balance, with the livelihoods of families and the state’s economy at stake.

For more information on this story, contact reporter La Shawn Pagán at [email protected].