July 3rd, 2023 by WCBC Radio

$37 billion in federal pandemic era support for child care is expiring at the end of September. New data indicates 69,000 child cares spots may be lost in Maryland with over 2,400 facilities likely to close. Maryland parents may soon have fewer options when it comes to finding child care. At the end of September, federal support for child care will shrink with the expiration of pandemic era grants totaling 37-billion dollars. The state of Maryland provides a child care scholarship to help families cover care costs. In 2022, the state expanded the eligibility so a family of 4 making $90-thousand dollars a year still qualifies for the scholarship.  More information can be found at marylandfamilynetwork.org.