Advocates and Mothers in Hampton Roads Call onRep. Jen Kiggans to Support Child Care Legislation

Virginia Beach, Va. – To mark Mother’s Day, Affordable Virginia released a collection of stories from mothers in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District highlighting firsthand accounts of the financial and human cost of increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible child care. The stories call on Rep. Kiggans to stand with the mothers, parents, and caregivers of her district to support the Child Care Stabilization Act and bring much-needed relief to countless families struggling to find child care.

Download the Full Storybook Here

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans’ voting record demonstrates that she does not prioritize working mothers and caregivers. Recently, she’s:

● Voted to cut funding for Head Start, meaning 13,886 children in Virginia would lose access to this essential program.

● Voted to cut funding for other child care and education programs like Title I and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Emily Yeatts, Campaign Director for Affordable Virginia said: “Congresswoman Kiggans’ voting record has motivated parents to raise their voices. From forgoing career and educational opportunities to skipping meals, parents are being forced into impossible choices just to ensure their children are safe and cared for. Quality child care shouldn't be a luxury reserved for the fortunate few – it should be a right, an investment in our collective future. It’s time to break the cycle, and it’s time for Rep. Kiggans to stand with the caregivers of this district and work with her colleagues to pass this vitally important legislation.”

Local mothers speak out:

Amber Butler Johnson, a restaurant manager and new mom living in Virginia Beach, struggled with finding child care before her baby was even born. After calling 16 child care providers, she found only one with a spot for her child, but it was cost-prohibitive. “Finding and managing child care as a working parent is an uphill battle,” Johnson said. “The limited options and inflexible rules make it tough to balance work and family time. We need child care systems that understand and adapt to the realities of working parents like me. I’m calling on Rep. Jen Kiggans to fight to make child care more reliable and affordable.”

Allison Graves, a teacher in Virginia and a mother to a young daughter, was unable to take necessary time off of work after giving birth because her employer did not offer paid family leave. "Is disheartening to see the lack of support for working mothers like me,” Graves said. “The constant changes in child care providers and the discrepancies in parental leave are major concerns. We need our elected leaders like Rep. Jen Kiggans to create a system that genuinely supports both parents and child care providers.”

Dorian Fowlers, a single mom to a seven-year-old daughter, works two jobs to make ends meet. “Balancing work and child care as a single parent is incredibly tough,” Fowler said. “I wish there were more affordable options for after-school care. My daughter deserves to have a fulfilling childhood experience, not just waiting for me to finish work. I want Rep. Jen Kiggans to fight for kids like mine by working to make quality child care more affordable.”

Alexis McDonald, a military spouse and mother, faced unique challenges in accessing affordable child care, particularly after her daughter was born prematurely. “When it comes to child care, families like mine are faced with an impossible decision: pay exorbitant costs for a child care provider or leave the workforce to care for children at home,” McDonald said. “Both decisions are financially untenable for many families. That’s why I urge Rep. Jen Kiggans to stand with families like mine and pass the Child Care Stabilization Act.”

Rashundra Jennings, a single mother in Suffolk, said, “Early daycare should lay the foundation for later success, from preschool to elementary. Quality early childhood care is crucial. That is why I am calling on Rep. Jen Kiggans to work to make early childhood education and care accessible and affordable to all children – regardless of their zip code.”