Child care committee would coordinate affordability programs

The Interagency Resource Management Committee would coordinate planning, program development, and funding for child care affordability initiatives. The initiatives could include voluntary cost-sharing partnerships among the state, employers, community sponsors, and families. The programs are intended to expand access to licensed child care and support people’s ability to work.

The committee would set program rules and could hire outside organizations to help run child care affordability initiatives. The rules could cover eligibility, enrollment, payments, outreach, eligibility checks, technical help, and other needed administrative work. The committee could use state money set aside for this purpose, along with federal, philanthropic, or other available funds. The committee’s guidelines are intended to reduce the paperwork burden for families and child care providers. Implementation depends on funds being available; the text does not provide a specific funding amount.