{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/hultgren-applauds-child-care-assistance-reforms-for-low-income-families", "Hultgren Applauds Child Care Assistance Reforms for Low-Income Families", "2014-09-16", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "IL", "Randy Hultgren", "H001059", "hultgren.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) applauded House passage of S. 1086, the\u00a0Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) of 2014, a bipartisan, bicameral reauthorization of a program which provides child care assistance to low-income families so that parents are freed to work or participate in education or job training. The bill reforms the program to make it more efficient, allows each state maximum flexibility in developing child care programs, and opens up more provider choices for parents.\n\u201cIllinois families are struggling to pay the bills, and the last thing they need is to worry about providing proper care for their children while mom, dad or both parents work to put food on the table,\u201d said Rep. Hultgren. \u201cNo parent should have to choose between pursuing job training and caring for their children. They should have the opportunity to do both, and be able to choose the care that works best for them, including faith-based and community-based providers. This legislation helps to ensure that happens. It\u2019s encouraging to see Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate work together to help low-income families pursue economic security in worrisome times.\u201d\nThe\u00a0Child Care and Development block Grant Act of 2014\u00a0will:\n Make child care safer.\u00a0By requiring all providers to comply with state health, safety, and fire standards, as well as annual facility inspections, parents will be more comfortable, knowing their child\u2019s care facility is\u00a0safe.\n\tEnhance child development.\u00a0This grant\u00a0extends\u00a0the program\u2019s original goal of ensuring quality education through age-appropriate practices and education for all children\u00a0\u2013 regardless of income, race, or location.\n\tGive parents more choice.\u00a0By giving parents more information on child care options (including faith-based and community-based providers), they are able to choose a child care program that works best for their family.\n\tEnsure quality training and professional development.\u00a0This agreement requires states to set the number of hours of training required for caregivers, so parents can be sure their children are receiving the highest quality education possible.\n\tEstablish efficient funding.\u00a0By giving funds directly to the states, good practices will be encouraged and funds will be better distributed based on the needs of the region. The grant also ensures funding for six years so as many families as possible are able to take advantage of this resource.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://hultgren.house.gov//newsroom/press-releases/hultgren-applauds-child-care-assistance-reforms-for-low-income-families"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6898569408804178, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}