Under 3 DC

07/15/2026

06/23/2026

DC Parents, educators, and providers are breathing a sigh of relief now that The Council of the District of Columbia has passed next year’s budget, which adds $100.5M to child care subsidies and the Pay Equity Fund.

Los padres de Washington D. C., los educadores de la primera infancia y los proveedores de cuidado infantil respiran aliviados ahora que el Consejo del Distrito de Columbia ha aprobado el presupuesto para el próximo año, que destina 100,5 millones de dólares a las ayudas para el cuidado infantil y al Fondo para la Igualdad Salarial.

“Under 3 DC greatly appreciates the DC Council - and Council Chairman Mendelson, in particular - for standing firm in their commitment to protect child care in the District of Columbia. Councilmembers understand that a strong child care system is essential to preparing children to learn and thrive, as well as to the District’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity. Their investment in child care subsidies will eliminate the enrollment freeze and ensure that families can access affordable, high-quality care while parents remain in the workforce. At the same time, continued funding for the Pay Equity Fund will help retain early childhood educators and prevent further pay cuts.”

Read the full statement: https://under3dc.org/newsroom/dc-parents-early-educators-and-child-care-providers-breathe-a-sigh-of-relief/

Dcaeyc Educare Washington, DC DCELC DC Action DC Collective Action Network DC Fiscal Policy Institute Jews United for Justice SPACEs In Action MSSPA

06/22/2026

🚨 BIG BUDGET NEWS 🚨

Because families, early educators, providers, and advocates spoke up, the DC Council is now poised to restore more than $100 million to DC’s early learning sector.

This is a major win for children, families, early educators, and child care providers across the District.

These funds will help protect early educators from pay cuts, support child care providers, preserve access to affordable child care, and keep DC moving toward the equitable early childhood system our children deserve.

But we are not done yet.

DC’s Chief Financial Officer is threatening to block the FY27 budget, putting these hard-fought child care wins and other critical programs at risk — even though DC would still maintain strong rainy-day reserves.

We need the Council to stand firm with Chairman Mendelson and the communities they were elected to serve — not allow an unelected CFO to block urgently needed investments in children, families, educators, and providers.

📣 Take one minute today: email Chairman Mendelson and the DC Council to say THANK YOU for restoring child care funds — and tell them to stand firm.

https://bit.ly/4oHste3

DC Action DCELC Dcaeyc United Planning Organization Educare Washington, DC DC Fiscal Policy Institute Jews United for Justice MSSPA SPACEs In Action

06/17/2026

DCAEYC will be at the Final Wednesday Walkaround on Wednesday, June 17, joining early childhood educators, directors, families, partners, and community allies at the John A. Wilson Building.

This is the final walkaround before the DC Council’s final budget vote, and there is still work to do. The Council still needs to secure the final $2 million needed to fully sustain the Pay Equity Fund and protect the progress that early childhood education professionals have fought so hard to achieve.

No advocacy experience is required. Participants will receive support, materials, and guidance before meeting with Council offices.

Wednesday, June 17
12:00 to 2:00 PM
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC

Join us and RSVP here: https://shorturl.at/FNy4n

06/11/2026