Written by: Jennifer Holsman Tetreault, Board Chair of Valley of the Sun United Way

Every one of us has a child in our lives - a son, niece, cousin or student - who is struggling to adapt to our new reality. Even in the best of circumstances, children are dealing with anxiety, educational setbacks, and social isolation.

We all want safety, stability and positive well-being for our children.

But the truth is that over 1.5 billion students are out of school around the world. The job and income losses will increase rates of child poverty, human trafficking and exploitation. Lockdowns and quarantines also increase the likelihood of children witnessing domestic violence or suffering abuse.

In Arizona, our children are facing many challenges, including: (1) the inability to access licensed child care programs; (2) limited access to educational services or support; and (3) lack of access to quality food during this pandemic.

Families, schools, communities and policymakers have to work together. We have the power to rebuild our communities and reimagine a better future for our children if we work together to help young people struggling in the wake of this virus. As the Board Chair for the Valley of the Sun United Way and member of the Women United Global Leadership Council, I am committed to doing my part to fight for our children to be healthy, safe, emotionally connected, and learning during this difficult time.

Today, on International Children's Day, let's take a moment to spotlight the many, many children that have been affected by this pandemic. As the U.S. Congress currently negotiates a fifth economic relief package, join us in urging congressional leaders to keep children front and center.

Specifically, we ask that Congress:

1. Save the Child Care Industry from Collapse: Child care providers have played a vital role in supporting essential workers so they can stay on the job during the COVID-19 emergency. As states and communities begin to reopen businesses, child care centers are critical to ensuring parents can get back to work. However, many centers on are on the brink of economic collapse and without immediate action, may disappear altogether. An emergency appropriation is needed to keep child care centers open and help them take the necessary precautions to keep our children safe and healthy.
2. Help Students Access Online and Distance Learning: As children adapt to learning in a virtual environment, we must ensure they have access to Wi-Fi hotspots, home internet connectivity, and digital devices to continue their education at home. Congress must increase funding in the FCC E-rate program to better support students and close the widening digital divide in low-income and rural communities.
3. Prevent Child Poverty, Increase EITC Participation: The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is considered one of the most effective programs for reducing child poverty and promoting financial stability for low-income families. Expanding the EITC for workers not raising children at home and lowering the age of eligibility, as well as increasing the Child Tax Credit will protect millions more children from falling into poverty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Address the Growing Food Insecurity Needs of Children: With schools closed, children have less access to nutritious meals during the day. We must increase funding for child nutrition programs that are responding to an increased demand for food for children and families. In addition, temporarily increasing the basic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps ensure families can afford to put food on the table.

The consequences of inaction could affect children’s health, academic success, and cognitive and social development for years to come.

Join us in advocating for children on International Children’s Day. There is no more important time or issue. Please take action today!

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