We applaud Gov. Cecil Underwood and Health & Human Resources Secretary Joan Ohl for their dramatic efforts to improve child care in West Virginia.
On Thursday, the two announced an $18.6 million initiative that should help more families afford quality child care.
The new program allows families to earn 200 percent of the federal poverty level and still receive child care subsidies. It also increases the amount of reimbursement given to qualified child care providers and provides funding for child care training programs.
"Investing in child care is an investment in economic development for today and for our future workforce," Underwood said. "It enables parents to work, it creates jobs, and it can provide children with the guidance and support to become productive adults."
Ohl told The Associated Press the program should improve the quality of life for many West Virginians.
"I hope these efforts will prevent families from having to choose between the job they need and the child they love," Ohl said.
We couldn't have said it better.
