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Mayor Bowser Highlights Increased Investment In Affordable Child Care

Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Visit Follows Release of Mayor’s Proposed Budget Investment of $15.3 million to Increase DC Residents’ Access to High-quality Infant and Toddler Child Care

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser highlighted her Administration’s proposed budget investment of $15.3 million to increase access to infant and toddler childcare options during a tour of the U.S. Kids Child Development Center. Mayor Bowser’s visit comes a day after she proposed an increased investment in toddler and childcare options to the DC City Council through the Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Proposal entitled “DC Values in Action.”

“By increasing our investments in early childcare, we are making it possible for even more District families to receive safe and affordable care options for their children” said Mayor Bowser. “My Administration will continue to fight for more access to affordable infant and toddler childcare options and ensure that the promise of inclusive prosperity is available to every District family.”

Over the next three years, the Mayor’s initiative would provide:

  • 1,300 additional infant and toddler seats;
  • Three new sites in District-owned buildings that will be leased to private child care providers to provide affordable, accessible high-quality care; and
  • Support 300 DC residents to gain certification as educators for infants and toddlers.

“This new investment would give more children and families access to the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development opportunities high-quality child care provides,” said Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles. “We will continue working with families and providers to ease the burden of finding affordable and high-quality child care options in the city.”

“We are committed to working together to support the growing number of children and families in the District,” said Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services HyeSook Chung. “This new investment will help to alleviate the anxiety of finding affordable, high-quality child care options in the city.”

Potential sites for child care development centers include the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Flagship Campus at 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW; UDC's Community College Campus at 5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE; UDC's Community College Campus Headquarters at 801 North Capitol Street, NE; and the Deanwood Recreation Center at1350 49th Street, NE.