Congresswoman Nikema Williams and Bipartisan Colleagues Reintroduce COACH Act to Support Childcare Providers in Launching and Growing Small Businesses

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), joined by Representatives Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Judy Chu (CA-28), announced the reintroduction of the Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes (COACH) Act. This bipartisan bill aims to empower childcare providers by directing the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and maintain an up-to-date resource guide specifically for small childcare businesses, providing them with the necessary tools to establish and sustain their operations.

The COACH Act responds to the critical shortage of childcare providers that has intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting working families nationwide. Originally passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) during the 117th Congress, the COACH Act was ultimately removed in conference committee, prompting its reintroduction.

The legislation would direct the SBA to ensure that childcare providers have access to resources tailored to their unique needs, and it calls for SBA partners to conduct targeted outreach to promote the guide and related services.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), vice chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, said: 

“Childcare is infrastructure and childcare professionals, many of whom are women of color, are essential workers. The COACH Act will deliver resources to hardworking childcare providers to help their businesses to thrive. This will make childcare more accessible to working families. As a working mama, I know that childcare is a must for parents to get to work with the confidence that their children are receiving the best care possible. We must do everything possible to increase access to quality, affordable childcare for all families, no matter their ZIP Code, no matter their bank account.”

Representative Judy Chu (CA-28)  said: 

“Childcare providers serve our communities, keep our children safe, and are essential to our economy. When working parents have access to high-quality, affordable childcare, they can go to work knowing their children are in safe hands and on a path to success later in life. By ensuring that Small Business Administration resources and supports are available to more childcare providers, as they are to other small businesses, the COACH Act will bolster our childcare workforce and allow more parents the opportunity to return to work.”

Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08) said: 

“The shortage of childcare providers across America, particularly in rural America, is a crisis that is keeping too many parents out of the workforce. By delivering much-needed resources to childcare providers, the COACH Act will expand childcare access and bring down the costs of this critical resource for families with young children. I am proud to support this legislation and thank Congresswoman Nikema Williams for partnering with me on this important issue.”

Numerous organizations have expressed support for the COACH Act, including First Five Years Fund, Georgia Child Care Association, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS), Main Street Alliance, Save the Children, and Small Business Majority.

Sarah Rittling, Executive Director of the First Five Years Fund, said: 

“We are so grateful for the critical work of our child care providers who help ensure our youngest learners grow and thrive, while ensuring parents can go to work and provide for their families. The COACH Act would ensure our child care providers, who are also often small businesses, are receiving essential resources and support from the Small Business Administration so they can continue to keep their doors open and serve their community. We are grateful to Congresswoman Williams and Congressman Stauber for their bipartisan work to support providers and create more child care opportunities for working families.”

Mindy Binderman, Executive Director of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, said:

 “Accessible and affordable child care is the backbone of our nation’s workforce, enabling families with young children to maintain employment and advance their careers. Nearly half of Georgia parents with young children indicated that they or their partner had turned down job opportunities because of child care challenges, according to a recent GEEARS-commissioned poll. These challenges have far-reaching economic effects in communities across Georgia and the nation and underscore the urgent need for creative solutions such as the COACH Act.”

Richard Trent, Executive Director of the Main Street Alliance, said: 

“Far too often, family and childcare businesses are not treated like the small businesses they truly are. They are the workforce behind the workforce, with over 100,000 childcare businesses across the country giving parents the psychic space they need to succeed in their own jobs. The COACH Act would ensure that the Small Business Administration provides childcare entrepreneurs with the industry-specific tools needed to start and sustain these crucial businesses. This legislation is just common sense, and we urge the House of Representatives to pass it yesterday.”

To see the full text of the COACH Act, click here

To see a one-pager on the COACH Act, click here

Congresswoman Nikema Williams proudly serves Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District on the exclusive Financial Services Committee. She is a champion of voting rights and builds on the Fifth District’s legacy as the cradle of the civil rights movement. Congresswoman Williams is committed to closing the racial wealth gap and ensuring the promise of America for all–regardless of your ZIP code or bank account.

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