Washington, DC (March 16, 2026)—Once again, child care in the District of Columbia is under attack. The announcement of a child care subsidy enrollment freeze is the latest blow to a system already bracing for Mayor Bowser to formally submit a FY27 budget that zeroes out the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Nearly 200 early childhood educators, parents, and allies will gather at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18, on the steps of the Wilson Building to say, “Enough is enough! Stop underfunding child care and meet the needs of DC families!”
At a time when all but the wealthiest of families in wards across the District of Columbia are tightening their budgets to withstand our current economic uncertainty, and DC has the highest unemployment rate in the nation, shutting the door to the child care assistance, midyear, to low-and middle-income families not already enrolled essentially removes a critical building block of early childhood education from the children who need it the most. And, from their parents who rely on child care to stay in the District workforce. (See Run of Show) *A mult box will be available
WHAT: Rally to Save DC Child Care
WHERE: John A. Wilson Building Front Steps (1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW)
WHEN: Wednesday, March 18, 9:00-10:00 AM (Run of Show)
WHO: Speakers include:
- Lauren Cooper, DC Parent
- Raul Echevarría, CommuniKids Co-founder and CEO
- Wanda Evans, Child Care Program Director
- Ben Wacks, Early Childhood Educator
- Councilmember Henderson
- Councilmember Parker
- Councilmember Lewis-George