Press Releases

On Thursday, June 10, Congressman Gerry Connolly will host a roundtable discussion on affordable childcare and education during the pandemic. The event will feature conversation from public officials, experts, educators, students, and childcare providers, and will focus on how the COVID-19 crisis has affected childcare providers and educators, a workforce largely consisting of women and in particular, women of color.

WHEN: Thursday, June 10 at 10:00 AM

WHERE: Main Street Child Development Center, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA 22030

WHO: 

• Carol Lieske, executive director at the Main Street Childhood Development Center.
• David Meyer, mayor of the City of Fairfax.
• Dr. Christine Pegorraro Schull, professor of early childhood development at Northern Virginia Community College. 
• Nicole Lazarte, an early childhood development student at Northern Virginia Community College.
• Liz Cassidy, preschool special education teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools.
• Diane Colcansek, director of Christ Presbyterian Preschool.
• Tanya Miller, home day care provider. 
• Michelle Davis, teacher at Country Day School. 
• Clarissa Kolodzinski, childcare specialist at the Infant Toddler Family Day Care. 

Signed into law in March, the American Rescue Plan provides nearly $800 million in critical funding to help Virginians afford quality early childhood care and education and to help ensure that childcare providers can continue operating safely. Specifically, the law includes nearly $306 million for Virginia Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG), nearly $490 million for Virginia Child Care Stabilization Grants and more than $16 million for Virginia Head Start programs to help support operating costs, PPE and tuition assistance for struggling families.

Additionally, the American Rescue Plan includes a historic expansion of the child tax and dependent credit, which would make Virginia families eligible to receive up to $4,000 in tax credits for one child or $8,000 for two or more children. This expanded tax credit would significantly ease the burden of childcare costs for many Virginia families – many of whom pay, on average, more than $14,000 annually for infant care and nearly $11,000 for toddler care. 

This event is open to press, but all press must RSVP accordingly and will be asked to practice social distancing and wear a mask. For press inquiries, contact Jamie Smith with Rep. Connolly’s office at  jamie.smith@mail.house.gov.