Letter to the Editor: A unique opportunity to support families with young children
- Ohio Kids First
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter was authored by Amy Goyal, a member of the Women’s Fund of the Richland County Foundation.
No issue is more important in helping women and families with young children be able to move up the economic ladder and support their children during the earliest years than access to quality child care.
It makes it possible for women to work and, in the case of single parents, is essential. In fact, single moms without access to reliable child care are more likely to live in poverty, but those with it are able to enter the workforce or pursue training to advance their careers.
The Women’s Fund of the Richland County Foundation understands this and has been driving investments into the local child care community for years.
Anything that makes it easier for women to work while also providing quality early childhood education for their children makes our community stronger and more successful.
In his two-year state budget, Gov. Mike DeWine took an important step forward in supporting families with young children by proposing that families with children under the age of 7 receive up to a $1,000 refundable tax credit per child.
The credit would put money back in the pockets of working families to help cover the costs of raising young children, including child care, health care, groceries and housing.
The tax credit is aimed at working families earning $94,000 or less and single parents earning under $69,000.
Consider a married couple with two children under 7. Assume one parent works full time, making $18 or so per hour and the other spends most of their time taking care of their children but picks up a few shifts every week.
Together, their income is just under $46,000 per year — below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. This family would be eligible to receive the full $2,000 back on their taxes — a 4% increase in their annual income.
Gov. DeWine’s proposed budget would also raise the eligibility for subsidized child care to families earning 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. A family of four earning under $60,000 annually would be eligible for this assistance.
Supporting families is good public policy. Ohio can help by directing investments into the hands of working families with young children through the proposed refundable tax credit and increasing access to affordable, high-quality child care.
It not only provides needed relief but also allows for greater autonomy and workforce participation from parents and caregivers.
Lawmakers will act in the next 100 days on these proposals.
Go to groundworkohio.org/act and join thousands of Ohioans who are raising their voice in favor of a child tax credit and expanding access to affordable child care.
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