A week to celebrate mothers!
It’s almost Mother’s Day and I’m thinking of all the young, working parents who are struggling to find affordable, quality child care for their children.
I understand the challenge. I brought up five children, including one set of twins, much of the time as a single mother, while continuing to work and seek an education. I know the daily challenge of balancing work and children, which is a reason why supporting parents and families remains a key priority for me.
Thanks to a new pilot project at King County, I’m lucky enough to work where little Gracie comes to work every day with her mother. At just 5 months old, Gracie is an adorable addition to the office, and brings a smile to my face every time I stop by to say hi.
I co-sponsored the legislation for the project – part of King County’s “Infant at Work” program – to allow County employees to bring their infant, ages 6 weeks to 6 months, to work.
This is one approach to helping new parents, but we need to increase the availability of accessible, affordable, quality child care for all King County residents and think of new, creative ways to assist our working parents.
The need for qualified child care providers who are paid a living wage cannot be understated. Providing quality child care is an important part of supporting young families, especially low-income families. As Chair of the Council’s Health, Housing and Human Services Committee, I lead on investing in programs that support children, youth, families, and communities. And I’ll be sponsoring legislation soon that incorporates the recommendations of the King County Women’s Advisory Board whose Chair, Sarah Reyneveld, represents County District 4.
Please join me in the fight for equitable access to quality child care.
And, please take the time this weekend to celebrate the mothers—both literal and figurative—in your life.