Families across Georgia struggle to afford child care. The average yearly infant tuition is now higher than in-state tuition at a four-year public college, and child care expenses consume more than one-third of earnings for families with low incomes. These challenges undermine families’ economic security and children’s long-term success—and they cost Georgia at least $2.5 billion in lost economic activity every year. 

As Congress works toward finalizing the annual budget, Georgia’s families are counting on them to strengthen funding in key federal early childhood education programs, namely: 

• Head Start and Early Head Start, which provide comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services. Head Start serves children ages four and five; Early Head Start serves infants and toddlers as well as pregnant women.
• The Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which primarily funds the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program in Georgia, providing some working families with scholarships to help them afford child care.  
   

The Senate has proposed bipartisan increases for both programs, while the House’s flat funding proposal effectively reduces access as costs rise.  

Join GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students in urging Congress to invest the highest amount possible in early childhood education to meet the needs of Georgia’s families.