John Kerry Works to Expand Affordable Child Care

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Works to Expand Affordable Child Care
April 25th, 2006 @ 8:25 am

Today, John Kerry will introduce legislation today to increase access to low-interest loans for child care centers, seeking to make affordable child care available for more parents.

Kerry’s bill would spur the establishment and expansion of quality child care providers through a lending pilot program that gives non-profit child care centers access to community development loans through the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 loan program.

“There’s no more important investment in our communities than our children. Every child deserves a healthy, safe place to learn and grow. This bill will help the many non-profit child care facilities that offer Head Start and early education programs by putting within reach the money they need to build, serve more families, or even fix a leaky roof. This is a common-sense investment in our future,” said Kerry, Ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=2759

[MH1]

1. He just keeps working at the seemingly small things that make a big

difference.

This is the kind of thing that has really topped off my appreciation for Kerry, beyond the obvious stuff. SBA loan increases aren't exactly high-profile issues but there he is slogging away at them because they really help real people.

[karynnj]

2. I agree - I just wish that they had found a way to

give all of his small business, youth, and veterans progams more visibility. They are things that make a difference in people's lives. They aren't the high profile attention getting things.

[wisteria]

3. I just had a discussion about childcare the other day with an acquaintance.e

She had a horror story about being a single mother and not being able to afford quality and safe care. Her little girl was burned by cigarettes and ignored in the center she initial place her in. She did find another care facility, but it wasn't easy and she got no sympathy or help.She mentioned that no investigation was ever done either to her knowledge. We discussed the need for centers that provide a safe environment,with quality and affordable care. I am happy this is directed at non-profit centers only. It's to easy for profit centers to use the money for things other then provide a safe, clean and positive environment for children to stay and grow in.