Silver State Times

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) on Feb. 22 attended the grand opening of the federally funded Nevada Strong Start Child Care Services Center in Las Vegas.

Child Care Services Center has been created to help Nevada's child care providers, the Child Care Services Center will open a second location in Reno this year, according to a press release from the Office of the Senator.

"Child Care Services Center is being created to support the needs of Nevada's child care providers of all types, giving them one location to access resources, support, and information to better serve young children and families," the release reads.

Joining Rosen at the event were Gov. Steve Sisolak (D-NV), U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Rep. Sue Lee (D-NV) and Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick.

"Even before the pandemic, half of American families reported difficulty accessing affordable child care," Rosen said, according to the release. "Thanks in large part to federal funding from COVID relief laws passed through Congress, this new Child Care Services Center will be a critical resource for providers across Nevada, bringing invaluable resources, information, and support to thousands of working parents and their kids. I am committed to delivering solutions to lower costs and make child care more accessible and affordable for Nevadans, giving providers the tools to succeed and parents the support they need."

Federal funding for the center was regulated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Act and the American Rescue Plan Act, according to the release. Senator Rosen helped pass both bills.

The release states that the American Rescue Plan included $39 billion in emergency relief to support care providers. 

The bipartisan Small Business Child Care Investment Act was introduced last year by Rosen and Rep. Lee and would work to prevent closures of nonprofit child care facilities. Additionally, the funds would allow operational growth by providing the same federal small business loan access to for-profit child care providers.