Congress is considering President Joe Biden’s historic plan for transforming our social safety net, including the grossly underfunded care economy that includes the elderly, the disabled and young children.

All sectors of the care economy need more resources, but caregivers working as home-based child care providers, who are disproportionately women of color, need the most. Some have embarked on a shared campaign called Care Can’t Wait to fight for better pay, working conditions and respect.

There are 6.4 million children in home-based child care, including both licensed family child care and license-exempt family, friend and neighbor care.

Families choose home-based care for many reasons: responsive relationships with trusted and loving adults, continuity of care, flexibility in hours and a culturally affirming environment for their children.

Black and Latino, Spanish-speaking, rural and low-income families are especially likely to choose home-based care.

It is time for our public systems to recognize the value of home-based child care for the millions of families that choose it, and compensate providers fairly for their work.

Black and Latino, Spanish-speaking, rural and low-income families are especially likely to choose home-based care.

It is time for our public systems to recognize the value of home-based child care for the millions of families that choose it, and compensate providers fairly for their work.

Elder and disabled care advocates are currently centering their advocacy around consumer choice and the desire to ensure that unpaid, unseen relative and neighbor caregivers are compensated for the care they provide.

Read the full article about home-based childcare by Natalie Renew at The Hechinger Report.