Thirty-three states made policy changes this calendar year that either make it easier for families to get child-care assistance or provide a more substantial benefit, says a report from the National Women’s Law Center in Washington.
This is the second year of improvement in this area, said Karen Schulman, a senior policy analyst for the center. In 2013, 27 states made changes to their policies in support of families who receive child-care assistance.
The assessment was based on policies and laws in place as of February. The law center looked at five key areas: income eligibility, waiting lists, copayments, reimbursement rates for providers, and eligibility for families in which a parent is looking for a job.
