WOMEN'S ISSUES NETWORK (W.I.N. - AZ) ADVOCACY UPDATE
We did it, Advocate! Together, we changed the law!

It’s official, Advocate: House Bill 2016 was passed by the Arizona State Legislature and was signed by Governor Ducey on April 28, 2021. Moms receiving child care assistance in Arizona will be able to maintain their benefits while working towards their educational goals to reach self-sufficiency!
 
This is a monumental achievement, three years in the making! Thank you for everything you did to support this legislation, whether you attended WFSA Advocacy Day, signed in to support the bill in the RTS, contacted your Legislators, or otherwise helped spread the word.

We also wish to thank Representative Udall – the sponsor of HB 2016 – who believed in the cause and championed the bill throughout the process.
 
Together, we’re making sure parents and caretakers – and especially single moms – can pursue educational opportunities for better employment prospects and earning potential.
What is the Larger Impact?
Our research showed that while 33,000+ moms in the Arizona labor force could benefit from postsecondary education coupled with child care, they may have been unable to attend educational programs due to child care benefit work requirements. Center-based child care costs over $800 per month, so forfeiting child care benefits could lead to huge financial burdens and stress for Arizona families, especially single moms. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased economic stress and women have been affected the most, exiting the workforce at greater rates than men.

Now, women will be able to pursue education, training and self-sufficiency without forfeiting their child care assistance. 
Multi-Level Impact Throughout Arizona
Parents and Caretakers
Affordable child care allows parents and caretakers to pursue training and education for higher-earning skilled jobs.
Single Moms
At least 33,000 low-income single mothers in the Arizona labor force could benefit from education or training coupled with child care. 
Employers
Increased access to educational opportunities means an increased talent pool of skilled employees.
Community 
State savings of nearly $20,000 per year per family for parents and caretakers who no longer need public assistance. 
What Does the Signing of HB 2016 Mean?
Now that HB 2016 has been signed, DES will be able to waive a portion of or the entire work requirement and continue to provide child care assistance to parents and caretakers who are also enrolled in a full-time accredited educational institution, education activities, or employment training programs, and who are already receiving full-time child care assistance.
Friend, thank you again for supporting HB 2016, speaking up about this important issue, and advocating for women, parents, and caretakers in our state.

Together, we changed the law!

We created change that will support thousands of single mothers and their families in Arizona!