Providers
Providers play a large role with parents and the communities they serve. They are the early learning experts in their communities.
Providers can bridge the gap
Providers of early learning are on the front lines of this issue, along with the families. They see everyday how important it is to start the learning process early. They are the ones who can work with the communities to share what needs they are seeing and how communities can help.
How providers can advocate for early learning
Send out weekly Fact sheets. Feel free to use stats and talking points from our Be Informed page.
If you have a newsletter, add an "info" or "advocate" section of that newsletter to keep people informed.
Host a community gathering. Someone within the early learner movement would be happy to field questions about how to do this in your community, just contact us.
Health Insurance Coverage for the Child Care Workforce
The American Rescue Plan made health care coverage more affordable.
For individuals without health care insurance or those who have insurance through HealthCare.gov, the federal marketplace (in which South Dakota participates) reduces the cost of health insurance. Many individuals working in child care (center-based programs or home-based programs) may not have employer-sponsored health care plans.
The new expanded health care subsidies went into effect April 1, 2021. Subsidies were set to expire at the end of 2022. However, the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law August 16, 2022 extended these health care subsidies through 2025. The sooner you apply, the sooner you can obtain coverage. Or, if you already have a health plan, the sooner you can potentially pay less. Families at all income levels are eligible. The amount of the subsidy varies by family income.