KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Child Care In Arizona: Federal Funding Rejected, Assistance Minimal

family holding hands
graphicstock.com

Advocates and state administrators agree: affordable child care is key to keeping families together — and kids out of foster care.

But last year, lawmakers failed to accept $56 million in no-strings-attached federal funding that would help low-income working families afford childcare for their kids.

All the while, more than a thousand families are on a wait list for the available state funds to help pay for childcare.

And, for those who lucky enough to receive funds, the help is minimal. Arizona’s payments to families are among the lowest in the nation.

To talk more about this seeming paradox, The Show reached out to Mary Jo Pitzl, who’s latest piece for The Arizona Republic sheds light on all of this.

More Stories From KJZZ

Tags
Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.