Affordable childcare for working parents was a hot topic Monday when U.S. Sen. Bob Casey stopped by the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County in Lansdowne to promote his Five Freedoms for America’s Children policy plan, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.
Sen. Casey supports expanding the federal child tax credit that provides working families with money each month to help lift children out of poverty.
Cintia Isle of Upper Darby, a mother of two, told the Senator she’s balancing work, going to school, and trying to find childcare.
“We’re a family that had our kids here but my husband and I both work. I’m college educated and there are times I can’t afford childcare,” Isles said.
This country treats poverty like a character flaw, that you’re not working hard enough, she said.
“I get up early and take the bus with people who are on their way to work, jam-packed. It’s such a lie that people don’t want to work and that they don’t work hard. The poor probably work the hardest, sacrifice the most, travel the furthest,” she said.
The $500 family tax credit she receives has been a lifeline, she said.
Read more at the Daily Times about Sen. Casey’s visit to Delaware County.
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The PBS News Hour looks at the national crisis over childcare.
