Today, Maryland Family Network’s Executive Director, Laura Weeldreyer, briefed the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee on the critical importance of the Maryland Child Care Scholarship Program (CCSP). The program was “frozen” on May 1, 2025. There are now almost 4,929 children on the waiting list.
“Open up the waitlist. Give these parents access to child care,” Weeldreyer told the Committee. “With access to child care, they’ll be able to accept the job. They’ll be able to afford after-school care so they can take the promotion and switch from part-time to full-time. They’ll be able to come closer to balancing their budgets and providing for their children.”
The Child Care Scholarship is an essential public good that benefits Maryland’s economy. It provides children with access to regulated, safe early learning environments while enabling their parents to work or pursue educational goals. However, the freeze on CCSP has forced some child care programs to struggle or even close, as many cannot fill vacant spots without the program. Other businesses are grappling with hiring and retaining workers when child care remains out of reach for working parents.
“Child care is a textbook example of a broken market. Parents can’t afford to pay. Providers can’t afford to stay. We’re advocating for a better way,” Weeldreyer said.
Weeldreyer was joined by Mary Kane, President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. MSDE’s Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools, and Sarah Neville–Morgan, Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Early Childhood, also briefed the Committee. Additionally, the child care provider perspective was represented by Christina Peusch of the Maryland State Child Care Association, Cristy Morrell of Critchlow Adkins Children’s Center, and Joanne Hurt of Wonders Early Learning and Extended Day.