Child care spaces must remain places of trust, safety, and dignity. Policies that introduce surveillance, even under the intent of accountability, risk compromising privacy, increasing burden on providers, and shifting early learning environments toward enforcement rather than care. We must protect children by strengthening systems through partnership, not monitoring.

Dr. Jasmine Moses, Policy Manager for the Black Child Development Institute Ohio, submitted testimony to the Ohio House Children and Human Services Committee expressing concerns about House Bill 647 and its potential impact on the stability of Ohio’s publicly funded child care system. Her testimony highlights the need for policies that uphold accountability, protect due process, support child care providers, and ensure families maintain access to safe, reliable care.

This comment urges federal leaders to reconsider proposed changes to the child care rule that could destabilize families and providers. Drawing on on-the-ground experience in Ohio, it explains how affordable, reliable child care supports children’s development, family stability, and local economies. Removing key protections risks shifting financial strain back onto those already under pressure and weakening a system families depend on every day.

As we begin a new year, the work of the Black Child Development Institute of Ohio continues with purpose and community at the center. Rooted in lived experience and guided by voices from across the state, our policy efforts reflect what families need to thrive. This blog is a space to share stories, updates, and insights as we move forward together.