RELEASE FOR MAY 12, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Samantha Hart, media@communitychange.org, 202-339-9316
1116+ Child Care Providers to Close Their Doors Monday for National Day Without Child Care
100+ events are planned in 27 states & D.C. to demand protections for and investments to child care, to build a care economy, and to fight back against recent attacks on Head Start, Medicaid & SNAP
Nationwide – More than 1,100 child care providers in 43 states and Washington D.C. are taking action to protest attacks on our country’s care system by closing their doors Monday, all as the country braces for Congress to mark up a reconciliation bill which could yield devastating cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other basic lifeline programs that families depend on.
The providers are organizing together through Community Change Action and its partners, as part of a National Day Without Childcare – demanding thriving wages for child care providers, affordable care for families, a childcare system based on racial and gender equity, and no cuts to Head Start, Medicaid or SNAP. Republicans are pursuing cuts to these programs to fund tax breaks for billionaires instead of proposing solutions to our childcare crisis, our exploitative healthcare system, and rising costs for families.
“People are fed up with billionaires coming before our babies, budgets, and benefits. But we know together our voices can rise and we can win the economy we all deserve,” said Janna Rodriguez, Long Island, NY, who is hosting an event at her child care center on Monday.
Octavia McLaurin is a child care provider from Las Vegas, NV closing her doors Monday. She sees the attacks on Medicaid, SNAP, and Head Start as attacks on her family and the families she serves. “My son is disabled, and I’ve had to fight for every bit of coverage to get him what he needs. Without Medicaid, I don’t know how I’ll afford the medications he needs to survive. If we do not protect Medicaid, people like my son will suffer. Childcare and healthcare aren’t luxuries. They are lifelines. Yet we’re continually expected to do more with less — to fill in the gaps while lawmakers debate.”
Tarrezz Thompson from Columbus, OH, and a member of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, has over 30 years of experience working in early childhood education. She is closing her doors and joining 300 other providers heading to the Ohio State Capitol on May 12th and 13th. “Attacks on social services such as Medicaid, childcare, and even affordable housing are direct attacks on families in our communities and our programs. Our families deserve better, and so do the providers who show up to tirelessly do this work and serve their communities every day.”
Kristyn Rose has been a child care provider in Utah for 23 years. “Our elected officials in Utah have repeatedly pledged support for child care—but when it comes time to act, they fail us.” Utah is currently planning ten events across the state on Monday.
Candice Vickers, the Executive Director of Family Forward Oregon, explained at a virtual press conference on Thursday, “Weeks ago, when the Trump administration and Republicans proposed completely eliminating Head Start in their 2026 budget, at Family Forward we had to fight back. In Oregon, eliminating Head Start would impact 18,000 families who rely on the program. That’s 18,000 families who will lose access to the literacy, food, and social emotional support that made it possible for me to succeed.” Family Forward plans to host a “Care Can’t Wait Festival” outside the Capitol on Monday.
With the support of the ACLU, Family Forward Oregon and five other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit recently to stop the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Head Start.
Clarissa Doutherd, the Executive Director of Parent Voices Oakland, was also a named plaintiff in the lawsuit. Parent Voices California is gearing up for actions in five counties in California on Monday. “Head Start is a true lifeline to alleviate the economic harm caused by corporations polluting our communities, making housing scarce and the cost of living astronomical, and not paying their fair share [of taxes]. We will see you in court, and we will see you in the streets.”
You can find a full list of actions taking place here: cca.is/dwocc.
WHAT: 2025 Community Change Action Day Without Child Care
WHEN: Monday, May 12, 2025
WHERE: Cities and states across the country, including Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and more.
Events include:
- Columbus, OH – Over 1,000 people will attend a rally hosted by the Ohio Organizing Collaborative at the statehouse to push legislators to pass policies that will sustain and support Ohio’s childcare system.
- Philadelphia, PA – Early childhood educators, teachers, providers, families and policymakers will come together at City Hall to speak truth to the need for higher compensation for providers and lower costs for families, hosted by Voice of ECE.
- Washington, DC – SPACES in Action will host a speak out and story share for providers and families at Freedom Plaza.
- Raleigh, NC – Providers and families will participate in a Child Care Rally and Stroll-A-Thon to the NC General Assembly, with NC State Representatives invited to attend and speak as well as listen to stories from providers and parents.
- Baton Rouge, LA – ECE providers/owners, teachers, parents, business owners, community members, and more will join at the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol to demand solutions for a better future, hosted by For Providers, By Providers.
- St. Louis, MO – WEPOWER will host a rally for providers and families, encouraging kids in attendance to wear their favorite superhero costumes.
WHO: Community Change Action Childcare Changemakers and partners, childcare providers, parents, and national allies
###