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A look back at one year into the American Rescue Plan child care investment and what to look forward to.

Enrolling my children in a home-based childcare program “was the best decision I ever made,” says Lisa, who still gathers with lots of other alums for Benu’s summer barbeque. Benu “is everybody’s mom,” according to Lisa. She’s raised dozens of children, become the surrogate aunt or grandma to their working parents, and is a mentor teacher for other home-based childcare providers in California.

Home Grown launched the Leading from Home initiative with the goal of supporting home-based child care (HBCC) providers leading grassroots networks in their communities. Home Grown is honored to have convened a community of tremendous provider leaders like Pam who uplift the voices and concerns of their communities and also uplift their fellow leaders in Leading from Home.

or many parents who work non-traditional hours, home-based child care is the best choice because home-based programs are flexible, accessible, and create a nurturing family atmosphere where children can play and sleep comfortably.

Home-based providers celebrate holidays and the cultural traditions with the families they serve, which strengthens children’s cultural identity and sense of belonging.

Community needs shifted with the pandemic. While the well-being of children remained a priority, the team at La Red saw the impact that COVID-19 was having on mental health and took action.

Greater attention to, inclusion of, and support for Family Friend and Neighbor caregivers is an urgent priority to ensure economic stabilization. 

Home Grown believes that Family Child Care providers contribute a vital service, often in under-served communities, and are deserving of the opportunity to access public pre-K funding to further nurture and teach the children in their care.

Home Grown recently launched our Building Comprehensive Networks initiative to provide resources and support to states, counties, cities, and tribes interested in building comprehensive networks as durable, publicly-funded infrastructure. Together we look to build better networks to support home-based child care providers and the children and families who rely upon it. 

As states work to allocate American Rescue Plan funds, Home Grown recognizes the need to continue to champion the stabilization and lasting investment in the child care sector, and home-based child care, in particular.