WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) was named a “YMCA Congressional Champion” in Washington, D.C. for his sponsorship of the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone (PACE) Act and his efforts in eliminating health disparities through support of the REACH program.

“YMCAs play a vital role in uniting towns across Maine and advocating for policies that strengthen our communities,” said Senator King. “Their work with groups ranging from children to seniors means so much to our state. I’m grateful for this recognition, and look forward to continuing to work with them to improve the lives of Maine people.”

“The Y is fortunate to have elected leaders such as Senator King,” said Dean Read, Advocacy Chair of the YMCA Alliance of Maine. “His steadfast support of early childhood education is just one example of his commitment to improving lives throughout the state of Maine and the rest of the country.” 

For many families, the cost of childcare can make it difficult to maintain employment and make ends meet. In nearly half of the country, the annual cost of full-time childcare for a 4-year old is greater than the average cost of in-state tuition at a 4-year college or university. Those pressures are felt most by low-wage workers who spend on average more than 30 percent of their income on childcare.

While the federal government provides two significant tax benefits to help offset childcare costs – the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – they are both in need of an update. For example, neither policies have kept pace with inflation, meaning they have become less useful over time as the cost of childcare has increased.

The PACE Act would enact several changes to make both tax policies immediately more generous and modify them to reflect the changing economic landscape by requiring annual inflation adjustments that will provide families with greater spending power when seeking care for their children. Because both tax provisions affect care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, those enhanced benefits will extend to them as well.

Dean Read, Advocacy Chair of the YMCA Alliance of Maine, presented the award during the YMCA of the USA’s 25^nd annual National Advocacy Days. At the conference, about 300 YMCA leaders from across the country traveled to visit members of Congress to discuss the vital role that YMCAs play in communities nationwide and to urge them to advance policies that support nurturing youth, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility. YMCA leaders also heard from national experts about issues important to their mission.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.