Under 3 DC

A Day Without DC Child Care x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

FACTS: Mayor Bowser continuously chooses not to fund child care at the level it actually costs to operate, pushing the system into a crisis that is putting thousands of employers, children, families, educators, and small businesses at risk. EMAIL her today here: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-m…

Paying for child care in the District could get more difficult. Advocates say that’s because Mayor Bowser isn’t prioritizing funding for families and educators. dcnewsnow.com/news/local-new…

DCAEYC Executive Director Berna Artis joined early childhood educators, leaders, and advocates at today’s rally at the Wilson Building to call for protection of DC’s early childhood funding. This community is organized, engaged, and still fighting. #DCAEYC #PayEquity

Equal pay isn’t optional. Child care isn’t a luxury. Cutting child poverty shouldn’t be controversial. DC’s Pay Equity Fund, Child Care Subsidy Program, and Child Tax Credit are investments in families and in our city’s future. We must find a way to fund them. In solidarity. ✊🏾

Proud to join @WeAreDCAction to send a clear message: childcare is essential, and we will not let it be dismantled. I'm committed to protecting the Pay Equity Fund, ending the childcare subsidy freeze, and fighting for a budget that invests in educators, children, and families.

DC's growth depends on its investments in child care. But those investments and DC's growth are now threatened in the FY27 budget. We are so proud of our Parent Ambassador Lauren Hooper who spoke at the rally and is featured in this @nbcwashington story: nbcwashington.com/video/news/loc…

3/18: Today, more than 300 #WashingtonDC families, early educators, childcare providers, and allies gathered at the Wilson Building to fight against the elimination of the Pay Equity Fund and cuts to the Child Care Subsidy Program.💪💜 @MayorBowser and @councilofdc —hear us.📢Underfunding means programs closing, educators leaving the field, families losing reliable care, and children missing out on the stable, high-quality support they need to thrive.‼️ Thank you to @CMCHenderson @CMZParker5 @CMLewisGeorgeW4 for your solidarity! #FundChildCare

Our children can’t thrive if families don’t have access to affordable childcare—and if early educators don’t have the investment they need. We have a moral obligation to protect DC’s childcare system in this budget—not ration it when families and educators need it most.

#HealthCare4Childcare originated from the Pay Equity Fund and has allowed thousands of families to receive healthcare insurance for the first time. We must continue to fight to hold onto the Pay Equity Fund and the District must continue being a national leader on this issue.

One of the asks is for new revenue, and advocates want a new business-activity tax. That would cover law and professional services firms that may not currently pay the city’s corporate taxes.

The providers, parents and advocates are also pushing for Bowser not to defund the $70 million Pay Equity Fund in her next budget. This is the fund that’s used to increase child care worker pay so it comes closer to matching what teachers make.

Lots of energy in front of the Wilson Building right now with educators, #childcare providers, and parents on this cold day to say 🗣️: no pay cuts for educators & no subsidy wait lists for families‼️

WATCH NOW: A Day Without Child Care Rally. @Under3DC @WeAreDCAction x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Big rally of childcare advocates, including teachers and parents, at the Wilson Building today. They’re protesting the childcare subsidy wait list and other cuts expected for ECE programs. And very notable signs supporting the business activity tax to fund childcare…

Solid turnout at the Wilson Building of child care providers, advocates, and parents protesting @MayorBowser’s decision to impose a wait list on D.C.’s child care subsidy program in order to contain costs. It goes into effect on May 12.

This is a monumental election year for #WashingtonDC. Join us at the Building A District That Cares For All Candidate Forum on Sunday, March 29 (3:00–5:00 PM) to hear directly from Democratic candidates for Mayor and At-Large Councilmember and learn how they plan to shape the future of care and working families in DC. 📍 Festival Center – 1640 Columbia Rd NW ➡️ Register here: bit.ly/4ul12ZE

Are you planning to attend tomorrow’s Save DC Child Care rally? @CMCHenderson @CMZParker5 and @CMLewisGeorgeW4 will be there alongside the #WashingtonDC early learning community. Read more about it: under3dc.org/newsroom/rally…

On Wednesday, March 18, at 9:00 AM, early educators, parents, providers, and community allies will gather at the Wilson Building for a Day Without Child Care rally to call for solutions. We'll be there, will you? 👉 RSVP here: loom.ly/k1qYi4I @Under3DC