Kentucky bill aims to expand child care access for children with disabilities, low-income families

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Roughly half the kids fed and cared for at Wesley House Community Services in Louisville rely on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). However, if the Kentucky legislature passes House Bill 6 in Frankfort, even more low-income families could afford those services.

As part of the Head Start program, Wesley House offers kids aged 6 weeks to 5 years old free meals and education. While it's a fun, safe environment for these toddlers, it's also helping ease a burden for many of their parents.

CCAP is a state-funded program, helping families within 200% of the Federal Poverty Line pay for child care. That's about $66,000 per year for a family of four.

"Our families and the community are really clamoring for better child care solutions," said Mendell Grinter, president and CEO of Wesley House. "There are far and few between."

That's where HB 6 comes in. Supporters said the bill is designed to strengthen Kentucky's child care system by expanding support for working families, improving training and quality standards for providers, and making it easier for children with disabilities or special needs to receive care and services.

"I think ultimately it's going to expand access," Grinter said. "... Finding affordable quality care is pretty important. Getting our families to work is very important."

The proposal hopes to improve child care data and create more financial transparency in publicly funded child care programs. It would also create a new type of child care license for what's called "microcenters," or programs that are not in a house and care for four to 24 children. And through a two-year pilot program, the bill would make it easier for military families to start day cares exclusively for military kids.

"Care is out of reach for too many families," said State Rep. Samara Heavrin, R-Leitchfield. "This is really important for both Fort Campbell and Fort Knox."

HB 6 advanced out of committee. It then passed in the House but faced some pushback in the Senate, mostly focused on increased administrative costs and the use of taxpayer money to pay for others' child care.

State Rep. Heavrin said this bill would not raise taxes. To read the full bill, click here.