CPA News Releases, Advisories, and Editorials

Washington, DC — “Child Care Works,” a new partnership between the District of Columbia, eight area banks and three community organizations will make training, grants and loans available to licensed neighborhood day care providers to provide slots for 1000 children. The partnership has been organized by the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), a Washington-based policy and leadership development center that works across the states on community-based solutions to strengthen families and communities.

“Child Care Works” advice, loans and grants will help family day care providers offer licensed, affordable neighborhood day care – a wonderful thing for these small business people,” said Bridget Ware, who has coordinated creation of the partnership for CPA. “But it’s even more wonderful for the 1000 additional children and their parents who need good child care and will soon have it.”

“The real heroes in this partnership are Mayor Barry, who saw both the need and the potential for the partnership; Barbara Kamara of the Office of Early Childhood Development and Russell Simmons, chair of the Metro Banks Consortium, who have shown a real commitment to building community assets; and the community organizations who are on the front lines in bringing this program to life in neighborhoods across the city,” Ms.Ware added. Ms. Ware noted that Arch Family Services and the Washington Child Development Council have pioneered micro-lending for child care providers.

“Child Care Works” partners are: The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region; the Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood Education; the Metro Bankers Consortium; Arch Family Services; The Washington Child Development Council; the H Street Community Development Corporation; and the Center for Policy Alternatives.