U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., visited El Centro recently to see the effect of federal funding on the agency’s facilities and on families they serve.
El Centro has a community center and bilingual pre-kindergarten academy serving the Hispanic community in the area.
According to Rep. Davids, organizations like El Centro area critical to the growth and prosperity of communities, and even at limited capacity are working hard to support local families.
Rep. Davids supported the CARES Act, which provided funding for El Centro to weather the pandemic last year, and the American Rescue Plan, which has allocated more than $347 million in flexible funding for Kansas child care centers to purchase personal protective equipment, retaining staff and subsidizing costs for low-income families. Both relief funds also included the paycheck protection program, which allowed El Centro and other organizations and businesses to keep their doors open through the pandemic.
“Kansas is getting back on track thanks to the historic American Rescue Plan, but recovery takes time, and we need to keep up the momentum on vaccinations and continue getting targeted relief to those who need it,” Rep. Davids said. “With more child care centers and schools like El Centro staying open thanks to this funding, more Kansas families are able to safely return to work. I was grateful to hear from El Centro’s staff today, particularly about the toll this pandemic has taken on educators, and I look forward to continuing to support their essential work however I can.”
Additionally, the American Rescue Plan gives families with children a tax cut by expanding the Child Tax Credit and introducing monthly payments, which will start arriving in bank accounts as soon as next month.
In a report released last month, Rep. Davids announced that over 77% of children in the Third District will benefit from the expanded credit – that’s over 150,000 local kids whose families will be receiving additional resources each month to put towards their care. For many of the families who use El Centro’s services, this is a critical lifeline that will help them cover costs and ensure their children have opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive, according to Rep. Davids’ spokesman.