Congressmembers Rob Menendez and Ilhan Omar Introduce Legislation to Lower Cost of Childcare for Workforce Training Participants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmembers Rob Menendez (D-NJ-08) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05) have introduced the Parental Workforce Training Act. This bill will create a pilot program to issue $10,000,000 in federal grants to local workforce boards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for the purpose of subsidizing childcare for workforce training participants.

“Expanding access to affordable childcare while enabling parents to enter workforce training programs is a win-win for working families and for our economy,” said Congressman Menendez. “I am honored to introduce the Parental Workforce Training Act which would create a groundbreaking new program to support families across New Jersey’s Eighth Congressional District and our country. I appreciate Rep. Omar for working on this critical issue within the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and for joining me in this effort to invest in our communities.”

“Too many working parents struggle to afford childcare while trying to improve their skills and advance their careers,” said Congresswoman Omar. “Childcare is one of the biggest expenses for parents in our state, which on average can cost between $9,682 to $16,087 for an infant. For many low-income Minnesotans, these high costs put quality care out of reach and create barriers to finding stable employment and advancing their skills. This investment will empower mothers and fathers across the nation to pursue new career opportunities while knowing their children are in good hands. I'm proud to support a bill that expands economic security for Americans striving to better their lives to support their families.”

The Parental Workforce Training Act directs the United States Secretary of Labor to award grants to local workforce boards to provide assistance to eligible individuals to cover the costs of childcare services. It also tasks the Secretary with submitting a report to Congress on the impacts these grants have on enrollment and completion rates in workforce training programs.

This legislation is the latest pro-worker bill that Congressman Menendez has introduced, following the Working Families Task Force Act (link to release), which would create a whole-of-government task force to work on solutions for the challenges facing families in the United States.