On Wednesday, June 24, the Jersey City Council voted unanimously to pass a resolution recognizing child care as essential public infrastructure, and calling for the full funding, reopening, and expansion of the NJ Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP.) Jersey City joins Newark, Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Linden, and the City of Orange demanding that the state fully fund child care.

CWA Local 1037 proudly represents over 1,000 in-home childcare providers who are fighting for a fair union contract and expanded child care subsidies. The majority of members are women of color like Michelle Stroud, fighting for a voice in the state and county programs that dictate how they operate their in-home programming.

Early childcare access supporters from NJ Communities United, NJ Citizen Action, SEIU 32BJ, and Wind of the Spirit came to the public meeting in support of the resolution, which was introduced by Councilmembers Joel Brooks and Jake Ephros.

In May, CWA was proud to participate in the National Day Without Childcare rally alongside our labor and community allies to raise awareness about this urgent social and racial justice issue. Last year, the state legislature froze Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP) applications last year. While CCAP has been partially reopened, the impacts of its six-month long freeze cannot be undone.

CWA Local 1037, along with New Jersey Communities United, has long recognized the childcare affordability and accessibility as a social and racial justice issue.