Child care

It’s a gratifying experience being a mother taking care of my family. Families start within a home but need support of the community to thrive. My biggest challenge raising my children, both who are autistic, was finding child care.

Many are affected by this child care dilemma, where families may be emotionally exhausted and possibly financially overwhelmed. Parents need to work. It helps us to find our sense of self-worth, passion, create stability for our home while building our community. Results of a family without child care lead to a community calamity especially when resources are limited

I was grateful when I discovered the amendment to the Consumer Direct Waiver, Appendix K. A waiver my children had previously used but had difficulties keeping attendees with the pay offered by Medicaid.

Together we must advocate for more resources and for amendments like the Appendix K to be permanent, not temporary; it has helped so many families. Sharing and advocating for resources is the reason why I started my business that provides services for people with disabilities and joined Virginia Organizing and A Day Without Child Care actions.

Together we can advocate for additional resources and create awareness of families’ needs in the community. We need to advise our community that we need more preschools and day care centers. We need to cater to all families by creating more inclusive day cares where those who are disabled are welcome and can find child care too. Resources are what is lacking and being resourceful is what is needed, where there are no families without child care.

Chiquita Hubbard, Virginia Organizing member, Newport News