NJPP report urges expansion of childcare benefits

New Jersey Policy Perspective and a host of other progressive advocacy groups urged the expansion of childcare benefits after a new NJPP report found parents face significant, unequal hurdles during the pandemic.

“During a public health emergency that has drastically disrupted schools, childcare, and work, it is essential that parents have the support, flexibility, and resources they need to balance their jobs and caregiving duties,” NJPP policy analyst Vineeta Kapahi said. “Understanding and addressing the needs of working parents is not only critical to the wellbeing of children and their families, but also the broader economy as well as the state’s recovery from the pandemic.”

The report found households were children were twice as likely to have trouble meeting their expenses. It also found the state’s black and Latino residents were more likely to be impacted because they were less likely to be able to work from home.

The report urged federal lawmakers to expand partial paid leave benefits made available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which are due to sunset at the end of December.