A northern Michigan family is headed to Washington D.C this month to meet with lawmakers about their concerns over a lack of childcare.
Rebecca and Ryan Amidon are from Manistee. They join more than 50 families representing different states.
The Amidon’s were invited by “Zero to Three” – an early childhood advocacy group based in the U.S. capital.
Each year, a family is chosen from every state for the annual visit to the capital. The Amidon’s will represent Michigan families, and will meet one-on-one with US Senators Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow and Congressman John Moolenaar.
Rebecca Amidon said they will advocate for:
- More affordable, high quality childcare
- National paid family and medical leave
- Mental health services
- Expanding the child care tax credit
"While we are meeting with, say, Senator Gary Peters, I will have my one year old baby on my lap, and our four year old, he'll be running around the room being crazy," Amidon said. "Because the point of this is for lawmakers to see and understand how difficult it is for parents to work while having their children at home with them.”
Ryan Amidon said he wants lawmakers to know how a lack of childcare hurts families and the economy.
“When the cost to pay for childcare are above costs of what it will ultimately take for work, it just becomes not worth it and takes people out of the job market,” he said.
They head to Washington D.C. the week of April 30.
