Ernst Champions Access to Child Care for Military Families

New bipartisan, bicameral legislation would help combat staffing shortages and long day care wait lists
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran, mother, and grandmother, introduced theHelping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) in Child Care for Military Families Actto help servicemembers more easily access quality, affordable, and consistent child care.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) joined her in leading this legislation. The bill would help combat staffing shortages and day care waitlists that military families face by establishing a first-of-its-kind Child Care Readiness Data System to track capacity, staffing levels, vacancies, and turnover. The legislation would also make hiring child care providers more efficient by streamlining several requirements, reducing hiring delays due to red tape, and expanding the hiring pool.
“As our servicemembers balance dedication to their families with serving our country, access to child care options shouldn’t be an additional barrier,”said Sen. Ernst.“As a mother and grandmother who served in uniform, I understand all too well the unique challenges military families face. MyHERO Child Carefor Military Families Actprovides commonsense, bipartisan solutions to cut through the red tape, better understand the shortages, and reduce hiring delays so our military families have the support they need in every season of life.”
“Access to reliable, high-quality childcare is essential for the readiness and well-being of our service members and their families. By addressing staffing shortages, reducing waitlists, and strengthening hiring flexibility, theHERO Acttakes an important step forward and gives military families the support they need,”saidRep. Kiggans. “I am proud to join Senators Ernst and Shaheen, and Congresswoman Jacobs, in this effort to streamline data transparency at the Department of Defense and improve access to reliable childcare.”
“The military child care crisis is severe – and the lack of information is so dire – that many military families in San Diego and across the country have to rely on word of mouth and Facebook groups to learn about waitlists, vacancies, and more. I’ve heard countless times about how the lack of sufficient child care affects their mental health, focus, and job performance, but often these anecdotes aren’t as convincing as hard data,”said Rep. Jacobs.“That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan and bicameralHERO Child Care Actto change that. Our bill will arm us with the data we need to make substantive improvements to military child care.”
“When service members don’t have reliable, affordable childcare, it causes stress that follows them into the field, onto the ship, into the cockpit, and ultimately on deployment,”said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor.“TheHERO Childcare for Military Families Actrecognizes the sacrifices our military families make to serve this nation, and provides the support they need to ensure mission success. With Honor is proud to endorse this legislation, and we thank With Honor Senate ally Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, For Country Caucus member Rep. Jen Kiggans, and Rep. Sara Jacobs for their commitment to our military families.”
Read the billhere.
Background:
While travelingRiver to Riveracross Iowa, Ernst oftenvisitschild carecenters and has long been astrongadvocate forincreasingaccess to affordable, high-quality child care in Iowa.
Sheleadsthe bipartisanSmall Business Child Care Investment Actthat would allow non-profit child care providers, including religious organizations, to participate in Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs, and theChild Care Availability and Affordability Actto help lower costs for hardworking Iowans and encourage businesses to invest in accessible child care options.
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