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Pandemic-Era Child Care Funding Has Run Out. It’s Likely to Have a Big Impact on the Workplace


rss.shrm.org | Kathryn Mayer

​Many working parents already are faced with challenges around child care, trying to find affordable options while navigating work and family life.

Now, those challenges may get even more difficult.

On Sept. 30, $24 billion in federal pandemic relief funding for child care—as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act Democrats passed in March 2021—expired. That expiration may cause more than 70,000 child care providers who benefited from federal funding—roughly one-third of those supported by the funding—to close in the coming months, according to estimates from The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank. Other providers may raise prices to stay in business.

“Parents of young children have competing priorities, and losing reliable child care means an attention-splitting juggling act,” said Mandy McAllister, CEO of GoBundance Women, a member network for women in business.

The expiration has big implications for employees trying to balance work and child care simultaneously and for companies that count on workers to be present and productive on the job.

The news, industry insiders said, indicates that employers and HR leaders will have to step up if they don’t want to risk losing employees, particularly women, who bear the brunt of child care responsibilities.

What’s at Stake

There are a number of issues of concern for the workplace as a result of the pandemic-era child care funding running out, experts said. McAllister said employees will be looking for…


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