Poverty in America and the Childhood Equity Gap
Learn more about the poverty and the childhood equity gap in America.
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BREAKING News
The House of Representatives has passed the historic Build Back Better Act.
It’s time for the Senate to move swiftly and pass the Build Back Better Act into law. Tell Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act by visiting our political advocacy arm – Save the Children Action Network – and sending a message to Congress.
The Build Back Better Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in America’s children and families
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented upheaval and magnified the hardships of millions of U.S. children and families who were already struggling. Today, many millions more children are hungry, without access to high-quality early education and worried about their family’s economic future. They cannot wait any longer to get the relief they need.
The Build Back Better Act can offer America’s kids and families relief:
At least 30 million more children will have the nutrition they need to thrive.
At least 20 million more children will have access to high-quality and affordable child care.
At least 6 million more children will have access to Universal Pre-K.
Tell Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act by visiting our political advocacy arm – Save the Children Action Network – and sending a message to Congress.
What’s in the Build Back Better Act?
The Build Back Better Act would provide better access to nutritious food in and out of school, expand access to high-quality and affordable child care and guarantee publicly-funded pre-K for all three- and four-year-olds.
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During the summer when school is out, families would receive $65 per eligible child to purchase food
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Families earning under 75% of State Median Income would pay nothing for child care
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No family would pay more than 7% of their income for child care for children under 5 years-old
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All three- and four-year-olds would be guaranteed access to publicly-funded pre-K
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Such access would ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and succeed
What Is Universal Pre-K?
Universal pre-kindergarten provides all families with preschool-aged children access to their state or community's publicly-funded pre-kindergarten learning and care program.
With the Build Back Better Act, publicly-funded pre-K for all three- and four-year-olds would be guaranteed. This extraordinary step would expand access for more than 6 million children, saving American families an average of $8,600 per year, per child.
Such access would ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and succeed. Children who arrive at kindergarten without a solid educational foundation are likely to fall behind. Making sure every child has access to high-quality preschool is essential to closing the education gap.
Access to high-quality early education and care is an economic issue, too. The early learning and care industry contributes approximately $100 billion to our economy and employs over 1.5 million people. We can’t afford to lose this income and job opportunity!
Learn More About Our Work in the United States
Child Hunger in America
Learn more about child hunger in America. One year after COVID-19, millions more children in America are struggling with hunger.
Help Save Children in America
Save the Children helps children in the United States. Donate today to help children in America get the nutrition, education and childhood they deserve.
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