Securing our tomorrow by caring for America's children today: Implementing an attainable universal child care model in the United States

Abstract

The United States continues to grapple with the overwhelming lack of affordable child care facilities and resources available to parents. The rising child care costs continue to disproportionately impact low-income families, families of color, and women. The struggle to find affordable care leaves many individuals with the difficult decision to change their career paths or leave the workforce entirely to provide care for their children. Child care programs serve many benefits to both children and parents. This Note proposes a new discretionary universal child care model that addresses modern issues in child care through the culmination of previous child care reform efforts. The proposed program will leave states the choice to implement the new model with an incentive program to bolster support and performance of the legislation.