Standing Together: Supporting Families During the Government Shutdown
- Roberta Fisher
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
A Message to Our Community
The recent government shutdown has created an unprecedentedcrisis for working families across our community. At Kidding Around Child Care Center, we're witnessing firsthand the devastating impact on parents who rely on childcare vouchers to maintain their employment and provide stability for their children.
This isn't just a policy issue – it's about real families, real jobs, and real children who deserve consistent, quality care.
The Hidden Crisis: How the Shutdown is Hurting Families
When government childcare assistance programs freeze, the ripple effects are immediate and severe:
Parents Are Forced to Make Impossible Choices:
Miss work to stay home with their children (risking job loss)
Pay out-of-pocket for childcare they can't afford (choosing between rent, food, or care)
Pull children from programs mid-year, disrupting their development and routines
Rely on unsafe or unlicensed care as a last resort
The Employment Domino Effect:
Without reliable childcare, parents can't work. Without work, families lose income. Without income, they fall further behind. The very families working hardest to build stability are being pushed backward through no fault of their own.
Children Bear the Burden:
Children thrive on consistency. When they're suddenly pulled from their childcare programs, they lose:
Educational continuity and developmental progress
Social connections with friends and caregivers
Safe, nurturing environments during critical growth periods
Daily structure and routine
A Call to Our Community: We Must Do Better
Now, more than ever, our community needs to stand united.
At Kidding Around, we believe that every child deserves quality care, regardless of their family's payment method.We are committed to:
✅ Keeping our doors open to families with vouchers during this crisis
✅ Working with families to find payment solutions until vouchers resume
✅ Maintaining enrollment for children already in our care
✅ Advocating loudly for the families who need support most
To Other Childcare Providers:
We understand the financial pressures you face. But turning away voucher families in their time of greatest need is not the answer.
Instead, we encourage you to:
Communicate openly with affected families about the situation
Explore payment plans or sliding scale options temporarily
Connect families with emergency assistance resources
Reach out to local organizations that may provide bridge funding
Document the impact and contact your representatives to advocate for families
When we support families through crisis, we strengthen our entire community.
Our Commitment at Kidding Around
We will not abandon the families who need us most.
During this government shutdown, Kidding Around Child Care Center pledges to:
✅ Work individually with every affected family to find solutions✅ Maintain enrollment for children currently in our care✅ Connect families with every available resource✅ Advocate tirelessly for childcare funding restoration✅ Be a safe, stable place for children during uncertain times
We believe in being the unity in our community.
A Message to Affected Families
You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You matter.
The government shutdown is not your fault. Your struggles are valid. Your need for childcare is legitimate and essential.
We see you. We support you. We're here for you.
Please reach out to us at Kidding Around if you're facing childcare payment challenges. Let's work together to find a solution. Your child's care and your employment are too important to let fall through the cracks.
Together, We Are Stronger
Childcare is not a luxury – it's infrastructure. It's what allows parents to work, children to learn and grow, and communities to thrive.
When the government fails families, we must be the safety net.
Share this post. Share these resources. Support your neighbors. Hold your elected officials accountable.
Our children are watching. Let's show them what community really means.
At Kidding Around Child Care Center, we're open Sunday-Saturday, 7AM-11PM, because we know families need flexible, reliable care – especially during difficult times. We're here for you, no matter what.
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