Congresswoman Nikema Williams Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Introduction of 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. Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Senator John Curtis (UT) are leading reintroduction in the Senate.
The COACH Act would task the U.S. Small Business Administration with maintaining an updated resource guide on how childcare providers can start and grow their small businesses. The guide, updated at least every five years, would be made publicly accessible on the Small Business Administration’s website. This bill would also task resource partners of the Small Business Administration – small business development centers, women’s business centers, veterans’ business outreach centers, and SCORE – with conducting outreach to childcare small businesses to make them aware of this guide and other existing resources.
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 make childcare more accessible to working families while delivering resources to hardworking childcare providers to help their businesses thrive. As a working mama, I know that childcare is a must for parents who need to work with the confidence that their children are receiving the best care possible. As working families continue to face rising costs, we must do everything in our power to help parents get ahead of the curve and support the small businesses that best support them.”
Representative Judy Chu (CA-28) said:
“As our nation faces a childcare crisis, I am proud to join Rep. Williams in reintroducing the COACH Act, to increase our investment in our childcare providers. By giving our nation’s small childcare businesses the tools and support they need to succeed, this bill will help bolster the childcare workforce and close the growing gap in childcare availability across America. Parents should be able to go to work knowing their children are safe, learning, and thriving, and the COACH Act will help ensure that more families can access reliable, high-quality childcare.”
Representative Pete Stauber (MN-08) said:
“I am proud to co-lead the bipartisan, bicameral COACH Act with Rep. Williams. This bill empowers small child care providers with essential SBA resources on operations, finances, and compliance, supporting families and jobs in Minnesota and nationwide.”
Senator Klobuchar (MN) said:
“When we invest in child care, we invest in our future. Our bipartisan legislation will give child care providers resources to support their businesses and bolster their workforce, while making quality child care more affordable for working families and allowing more parents to enter the workforce. It’s a win-win.”
Senator John Curtis (UT) said:
“In Utah, we believe in investing in the next generation and that starts with making sure families have access to high-quality, affordable childcare. The COACH Act will help small childcare providers better serve hardworking parents in their communities and will give families more options to access the care they need.”
The COACH Act is endorsed by: First Five Years Fund, Georgia Child Care Association, Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS), Main Street Alliance, Save the Children, Small Business Majority
John Arensmeyer, Small Business Majority Founder and CEO, said:
“Our research shows that small businesses are struggling to access affordable childcare, a growing concern that’s making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive. We support legislation that would provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs and would help alleviate a problem plaguing small businesses throughout the United States.”
Mindy Binderman, Executive Director of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, said:
“Child care is essential infrastructure, just as critical to our economy as housing, transportation, and utilities. It’s like a road—you can’t get to work without it. Nearly 1 in 3 Georgia parents with young children say they or a parent/caregiver in their home has had to leave, not take, or greatly change a job in the last year because of child care challenges. Child care challenges in Georgia lead to at least $2.52 billion in losses in economic activity annually and an additional $131.7 million in lost tax revenue. We urgently need creative solutions like the COACH Act.”
Shawn Phetteplace, National Campaigns Director of Main Street Alliance, said:
“Our research shows that small businesses are struggling to access affordable childcare, a growing concern that’s making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive. We support legislation that would provide valuable resources to entrepreneurs and would help alleviate a problem plaguing small businesses throughout the United States.”
Sarah Rittling, Executive Director, First Five Years Fund, said:
“Every day, child care providers across the country make sure young children receive the care, learning, and stability they need to thrive. The COACH Act would ensure these dedicated providers can receive the resources and support they need from the Small Business Administration to sustain and strengthen their programs. We appreciate Congresswoman Williams, Congressman Stauber, and Congresswoman Chu for their bipartisan leadership in championing this important effort to support providers and ensure more families have access to quality child care.”
To see the full text of the COACH Act, click here.
To see a one-pager on the COACH Act, click here.