President Biden’s Executive Order On Childcare: Here’s The Scoop! 

April 24, 2023   |   Brigette Weier

On April 18, 2023, Pres. Biden signed an executive order (EO) to attempt to support those in our society who serve in the crucial role of caregiver (of any age). Historically, in our western culture, women have borne the brunt of the caregiving roles which are often invisible, undervalued and underpaid. In our times, this is no longer sustainable and the inequality is disabling our nation’s ability to maintain/attain economic and social stability. This instability in homes and communities translates directly to instability for businesses and organizations. 

Much of what is in the caregiving EO is meant to address this inequality and instability. 

(For what an executive order is and can do please see the explanation below.) 

Here are the toplines of the EO regarding childcare specifically (I will not address the caregiving changes geared for veterans and older adults as while those too are crucial, that is not my area of expertise):

• Companies seeking federal grant funding for their businesses will be required to submit a plan to expand access to childcare for employees. The CHIPS act (passed in 2022) already has a component of this but this expands the childcare access requirement to obtaining any federal grant funding. Note that in the CHIPS act it’s only if companies receive more than a certain amount and this may be true for the EO as well. Yet to be seen. Concern: Employer sponsored childcare has the potential to keep women in low paying jobs and jobs that are unsatisfactory. 

• For families who rely on the ChildCare and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the EO calls for a reduction or elimination of the parental copay. This will allow more parents to access childcare with no or reduced out of pocket expenses.

• Biden calls on federal agencies to lead the way in modeling providing childcare access. This may be by contracting with existing providers, offering subsidies to employees. Note that this path may also keep women in low wage, unsatisfactory jobs.

• Childcare facilities will be added to military installations. Crucial for military families who move often.

Toplines for Childcare providers in the EO:

• Health and Human Services will increase pay for Headstart staff

• Providers who have families that receive the CCDBG, they will receive a higher reimbursement for those children that they serve.

• Higher wages for staff who provide campus based childcare for students (Child Care Access Means Parents in School).

• Support workers rights-childcare unions and other organizing is encouraged by federal and states. 

• The Department of Labor will offer sample care agreements ensuring the rights and responsibilities of providers and families. The DOL acknowledges that many providers are taken advantage of by the families they provide care for. 

• Construction of early childhood/childcare facilities for Tribes

• HHS will streamline processes for Tribal grantees of federal assistance to construct and renovate  ECE facilities. 

SO, you ask, when does this all start? Well, the thing with EO is that agencies have to figure out how to make all this happen within their budgets, staff and yes, bureaucracy. I did not see any timelines for implementation. We will keep you posted! To read more for yourself here is the link! Executive Order on Caregiving FactSheet

What is an executive order? What does it do? More here: Executive Orders