Regardless of where we are in the economic cycle, ensuring all families have access to affordable, high-quality child care will strengthen the economy. Even as we work toward this goal, it is important to recognize that child care is an essential and underutilized anti-recessionary tool, meriting additional investment and automatic expansion when unemployment rises. Expanding child care assistance meets the criteria of an effective anti-recessionary tool by providing:

• Children with stable, high-quality learning experiences
• Parents with the coverage they need to look for work, participate in job training, or seek additional education
• Families with help affording one of their biggest household expenses
• States with the support they need to continue investing in child care
• Providers with the help they need to stay in business and meet the needs of families