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˜ Ben Nelson
April 9, 2009 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide over 11 million dollars to Nebraska to provide child care for working families as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
“We all know child care expenses can present a real Catch-22 for working families, but this is especially true when so many are struggling to make ends meet.” said Senator Nelson. “Providing child care for working Nebraska families is not just vital to Nebraska’s economic security, but it also offers working parents peace of mind by knowing that their child is safe.”
HHS, through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), is providing the state of Nebraska over 11 million dollars to help provide quality child care opportunities to families whose children require care while they work, seek employment, or receive job training or education. The funding will be provided in the form of vouchers to families, but will also be used for quality improvements in child care facilities. Tribal governments in the state of Nebraska will also receive over $200,000 in funds for the same purpose.
Additionally, the state of Nebraska is receiving over one million dollars for crucial health programs for children that will help prevent disease. The funding will ensure that more Nebraskan families will have access to vaccines they need.
Senator Nelson played a key role in the passage of the $787 billion stimulus bill. He worked with a bipartisan group of nearly 20 Senators to better focus The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on tax cuts for the middle class and job creation for millions of Americans. Senator Nelson led the group through the initial bill line by line, dollar by dollar, to reduce spending and cut out $108 billion of inefficient or less-stimulative spending. The bipartisan group helped the improved bill win congressional approval. President Obama signed it into law February 17, 2009.
Senator Nelson is posting information about the release of stimulus finds on his website as it becomes available. Visit http://bennelson.senate.gov/issues/stimulus/index.cfm for more information.
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