GiaQuinta comments on FSSA waitlist

Today, the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced a waitlist for the Indiana Childcare Development Fund and On My Way Pre-K voucher programs, effective immediately. New applicants will be automatically put on the waitlist until further notice.

House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) issued the following statement regarding the announcement:

“The FSSA projected today that roughly 20,000 children and families will be added to the waitlist over the next year, with thousands more losing eligibility. This blow comes after Indiana was ranked worst in the United States for access to childcare, with zero Indiana counties currently meeting the threshold for adequate access to care.

“This waitlist is a result of all federal childcare funds being used to their capacities here in the state. If you recall, Republican leadership told us recently that Hoosiers shouldn’t look to the state to solve this monumental problem. Now, tens of thousands of families risk losing access to childcare. As state lawmakers, we can’t continue to shrug our shoulders and tell Hoosiers to wait for the federal government to come to their aid. It’s time we put in the work. This budget session, we in the House Democratic Caucus plan to do whatever we can to help more working Hoosiers access affordable, safe childcare for their children.

“While state Republicans continue to tout their supposed dedication to growing Indiana’s economy, many working parents know that statewide economic growth – and individual economic security – cannot happen without adequate access to childcare. House Democrats are ready to put in the work, and I’m calling on the majority party to fulfill their obligation to Hoosiers and work with us this session to address our childcare crisis.”