UAB Health System Authority to Acquire Ascension St. Vincent Health System

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June 26, 2024

African male pediatrician hold stethoscope exam child boy patient — The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Ascension for UAB Health System Authority to assume ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System. (Adobe Stock)

By Tyler Greer | UAB News

After thorough study and due diligence, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved an agreement with Ascension for UAB Health System Authority to assume ownership of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System in central Alabama to sustain patients’ access to the highest quality care in Birmingham and surrounding communities.

Under the agreement, UAB Health System Authority will assume ownership of all Ascension St. Vincent’s sites of care including the hospitals at Birmingham, Blount, Chilton, East and St. Clair, as well as the One Nineteen Campus; the Trussville Freestanding Emergency Department; and imaging centers and other clinics that are part of Ascension Medical Group. The transaction will include current Ascension St. Vincent’s services, facilities, caregivers and associates, including a robust network of providers serving the region.

“Patients will continue to have access to the healthcare services and providers they’ve come to trust, and ultimately gain access to a larger care network,” said UAB Health System CEO Dawn Bulgarella, who also serves as CEO of the UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance. “UAB and St. Vincent’s exist to improve lives, and that purpose will drive our actions in the coming months and beyond.”

The UAB/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance launched in 2020 to increase Alabamians’ access to high-quality, innovative medical care and help patients receive the right care at the right time and place. UAB and Ascension St. Vincent’s leadership view this agreement as the natural next step to continue to expand access to sustainable care in Alabama.

Ascension St. Vincent’s CEO and Ascension Senior Vice President Jason Alexander says UAB Health System – with a statewide network of 17 hospitals, both owned and affiliated, and with its integrated care delivery system and proven record of promoting patient-centric, sustainable care across Birmingham and Alabama – is best positioned to extend opportunities for patients to access a larger care network into the future.

“As part of our shared commitment to our patients, caregivers, associates and community, we have continued to discuss options to better deliver on our missions in an increasingly complex environment,” Alexander said. “It became clear that adding Ascension St. Vincent’s to UAB Health System’s network of owned hospitals – and combining and optimizing our collective strengths – is the solution to ensure that our community retains access to sustainable, high-quality healthcare. Among other benefits, patients will gain access to a larger network of local services through UAB.”

“Even as our structure is changing, Ascension’s dedication to health equity and to serving the most vulnerable in Alabama remains steadfast,” added Alexander. “The Ascension Foundation for Health Equity will continue its presence in the market and expand grantmaking beyond the transition period, investing in nonprofit organizations that accelerate positive change for generations of Alabamians.”

At a time when hospitals are closing across the nation, UAB Health System has made it a priority to strengthen Alabama hospitals, support care providers and increase community outreach and service through innovative partnerships that improve the state’s healthcare ecosystem.

“Our mission and vision to provide life-changing care and be the leader in improving the health and lives of all we serve aligns with the outstanding St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates who have served these communities for years,” Bulgarella said. “We look forward to supporting continued operations and providing opportunities for Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates to essentially remain in their current positions; our goal is to support fulfilling and meaningful careers in service to our patients and communities.”

enews 550x413 — The transaction will include current Ascension St. Vincent’s services, facilities, caregivers and associates, including a robust network of providers serving the region and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024. (UAB)

The transaction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2024, subject to standard regulatory approvals and pending satisfaction of closing conditions and approval by the Catholic Church. Until that time, UAB Health System and Ascension St. Vincent’s will continue normal operations while their teams collaborate to plan the transition.

Both entities are committed to working and communicating diligently with patients, employees, caregivers, associates and community partners.

“UAB Health System and Ascension are committed to our patients and employees, caregivers and associates and will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition in the short term, and that we enhance the overall patient and employee experience in the long-term,” Bulgarella said.

Ray Watts, M.D., who chairs the UAB Health System Board in addition to serving as UAB president, says UAB Health System is uniquely positioned to deliver on that commitment to sustain patient and employee success.

“UAB Health System is recognized among the nation’s best for innovative, world-class, people-first care, as well as among the best places to work in healthcare,” Watts said. “As an Alabama-operated health system we love, understand and meet the needs of our local communities, and we deeply respect Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers’ and associates’ similar community- and mission-focused commitment.”

Bulgarella says Ascension St. Vincent’s central Alabama operations also has a proud history on which UAB Health System plans to build with Ascension caregivers and associates.

“Since 1898, Ascension St. Vincent’s caregivers and associates have served our community well,” Bulgarella said. “We are excited to honor and continue their culture and legacy, and make sure they feel secure and appreciated in this transition. I look forward to integrating our talented, mission-focused teams as we work together toward continuity and positive results for those we serve.”

During a special called meeting of the UA System Board of Trustees at which the membership interest purchase agreement passed with unanimous support, Bulgarella and UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant recommended the resolution for approval.

“As you all know, the University of Alabama System and the UAB Health System exist to improve the lives of Alabamians and beyond,” he said. “This acquisition will go a long way to that end and will move the UA System toward fulfilling its vision of becoming the preeminent public system of higher education and health care in the United States.”

Miles College Announces Several New Studies Ahead of 2024-25 Academic Year

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Birmingham Times

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June 26, 2024

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MilesCollege0626 1 — Miles College on Tuesday announced several new initiatives to prepare students for leadership through graduate studies, new degree programs, modernized curricula, and innovative course offerings. (File)

miles.edu

In preparation for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, Miles College on Tuesday announced several new initiatives to prepare students for leadership through graduate studies, new degree programs, modernized curricula, and innovative course offerings.

The college has a new program and two minor offerings for fall 2024 and master’s programs in two disciplines planned for the near future.

President Bobbie Knight said the offerings mark a new chapter of growth and innovation. “As President, I, the Provost, the Miles College Board of Trustees, along with the college’s faculty and staff, remain dedicated to continuing our legacy of excellence and providing our students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed,” said the president.

Part of the process to expand the course offerings was to think about the demands of the market and the career goals of each student, she said. “After researching the jobs for the future, the needed skills, and the interests of our students, we realized there were several areas that we could expand to maximize their education,” Knight added. “Embedding certificates into the coursework is one way that we will prepare our students for the future. Students can attend class, learn from their professors, and acquire a certification–all at the same time.”

Among the undergraduate programs is a new major in interdisciplinary studies, which integrates multiple disciplines to provide a comprehensive, interconnected learning experience, fostering a broad understanding and versatile skill set for students. This will be implemented beginning in the fall.

The minors in sports management and artificial intelligence (AI) will also be implemented the fall semester.

The sports management minor offers an interdisciplinary education in the business, operational, and administrative aspects of the sports industry. This program is particularly beneficial for scholar-athletes who wish to continue their careers in the sports field, even if they do not advance to professional league play. The option to pursue a minor in sports management and immediately apply for a master’s degree in the same field is a significant recruitment and retention tool for the college.

Through the artificial intelligence (AI) minor, students will gain an understanding of what generative AI is and how it works. It will equip students with the knowledge and confidence they need to assist in transforming organizations into innovative, efficient, and sustainable companies of the future.

And for the first time in the school’s history, Miles is planning:

The master of science in management (MSM) with a concentration in sports management that will prepare scholars for managerial roles in the sports industry. This program combines core management curriculum with specialized sports-related coursework, equipping students with the skills needed for leadership positions.

Master of Arts in religious studies. The MA in Religion offers students exposure to theoretical approaches to the study of religion while deepening their knowledge of a specific religious tradition or pursuing in-depth engagement of religion with another related discipline or a professional field.

The introduction of these new programs is a testament to providing relevant, high-quality education that prepares our students for success in their chosen fields, said school officials.

“As I step into my first full term school year as Provost, I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future here at the Home of Southern Beauty,” said Dr. Tonya Perry, Provost. “The students have a desire to be their best selves and came to this college trusting us faculty and staff to aid them in that effort, and we are. Miles College continues to be a leading visionary in the academic space, and we will not slow down anytime soon.”

Perspective students should contact admissions@miles.edu or (205) 929-1656.

This post was updated at 9:57 a.m. on 6/26/2024 to add quotes.

‘I Was Telling Her How Much I Loved Her and Wanted to Spend the Rest of my Life with Her … And I Proposed’

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Birmingham Times

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June 26, 2024

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BY JE’DON HOLLOWAY-TALLEY | Special to the Birmingham Times

JACQUELYN AND ANTWAN HARRIS

Live: McCalla

Married: March 20, 2015

Met: Early September 2012, via Instagram. Both lived in Chattanooga, Tennessee and shared a mutual friend who worked in media and introduced the two. Jacquelyn worked in sales, and Antwan was a news reporter.

“…[the mutual friend was a radio personality] and she and I worked out together and she knew I was single, and one day we got together for lunch and she said, ‘I have the perfect guy for you,’” Jacquelyn recalled. “She mentioned his name and I immediately went looking for him through her followers… First I found him on Twitter, then I looked him up on Instagram and we started following each other… The first interaction came about because I had just picked up a new hobby running 5k races… I posted footage of my first race, which was the Black Girls Run race in Atlanta and he commented ‘good job.’”

“Instagram was brand new back then, and I had like 50 follower requests and I just accepted all of them, and that’s when my feed changed up a bit and I saw her photo running a race with the #blackgirlsrun. And her profile said nothing about Chattanooga, nothing about New Orleans [which is where she’s from] so I was like who is this mystery woman? I commented on it with no expectation of a response, and then she responded asking, ‘if I was going to do the upcoming [Susan G. Komen race for breast cancer awareness] and I said, ‘are you here in Chattanooga? Because if so, I might have to,” Antwan laughed. “And after that, we kicked off. She ran the race, and I was there working.”

“After chatting a few times back and forth online, we started talking offline,” Jacquelyn said.

The pair deepened their rapport over the following weeks and had arranged their first date. To get the first date jitters out of the way, Antwan invited Jacquelyn to hang out with him and some friends ahead of their first date plans.

First date: Sept. 21, 2012, At Big River Grill, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Antwan picked Jacquelyn up from her apartment and remembered her beauty as she walked to his car.

“She didn’t let me through her gate, I had to park in the visitor’s parking lot and watch her walk down,” he laughed, “and when I saw Jacq, I was thinking ‘wow, this girl’s got some nice legs on her, very toned, very nice and shiny, she was very athletic,” Antwan reminisced.

Jacquelyn remembers “he was dressed super well and he was very funny. We were non-stop talking, we had great conversation, and he had a bright infectious smile,” she said.

“I remember we just talked all night. We closed down the restaurant and were the last people to leave. She was such a lady. She was very mature, I could tell from the conversation she came from a very good family and had a good upbringing, and those were some of the things I was looking for…,” said Antwan.

Jacquelyn and Antwan Harris met in 2012 via Instagram, sharing a mutual friend, and married in 2015. (Provided)

The turn: Feb. 14, 2013, at Antwan’s home in Chattanooga. “He set out the whole thing for me, tea light candles, rose petals, he had music playing, he made grilled asparagus and fish, and he had gifts, that’s when he bought me my first pair of red bottoms [Christian Louboutin heels]. They were the pink/nude color and were perfect for my wardrobe. He went hard for me,” Jacquelyn said. “It was so sweet.”

“I was obviously trying to impress her, and of course, we would talk about some of the past guys she’s dated and I prided myself on being a fun guy [that gave her new experiences]. “…I hadn’t dated anybody in two years, and I was 32, I knew what I was doing, and I knew what I wanted. I wanted her to have a Valentine’s Day she could remember, and it was our first one,” Antwan said.

“He kinda gave me the ultimatum and told me ‘I ain’t playing with you’,” Jacquelyn laughed.

Antwan clarified, “A week or two before Valentine’s Day I had asked, ‘Where are we at?’ and she was like ‘we cool’, and I was like ‘I ain’t trying to spend all this time with you and just be cool’ … I said ‘I’ve done all that I can do to let you know that I want to be with you. You let me know when you make up your mind; I’ve told you more than once I’m ready to do this’ … I guess she needed time to get her head in the game,” Antwan said.

“And he wasn’t sweating me [behind my indecisiveness], and that was attractive, so then on Valentine’s Day, we made it official,’ Jaquelyn said.

From there, the couple said they had a whirlwind romance, and shortly after Antwan took a job in her hometown, New Orleans she quit her job and found a new one in New Orleans and moved with him. “That was pivotal for us,” Jacquelyn said, “and two months later he proposed.”

The proposal: Dec. 7, 2013, in New Orleans. “I knew I wanted to marry her when we moved, it was just a matter of getting the ring. I went with a moment we were sharing in our dining room. I had her sit on my lap and I was whispering all these sweet nothings in her ear and telling her how much I loved her and wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and I pulled out the ring and proposed to her. Then we went out to dinner at the Ritz Carlton and Jeremy Davenport [a New Orleans renowned jazz musician with a residency at the Ritz Carlton] serenaded us…,” Antwan said.

“The best part of the proposal was when he got down on one knee, the first thing I did was hop out of my heels,” she laughed, “for some reason, I had to get flat-footed and grounded. “His eyes got glossy and red. He got emotional and I thought it was so romantic and simple and sweet. There was no ego, it wasn’t obnoxious, it was so intimate, and I loved it. I was totally surprised.”

The wedding: Ocho Rios Jamaica, officiated by a resort-provided Jamaican priest. Their colors were off-white, light purple/lavender, and oatmeal.

Most memorable for the bride was the reception “because it never ended. It was ongoing, and it ended with us in the pool. Everyone went back to their rooms and got their bathing suits, and we bar-hopped around the resort and ended the night in the pool. It was so much fun,” Jacquelyn said.

Most memorable for the groom: “When we signed the paper work it was absolutely official. I was like this is for real, the paper work sealed the deal, she followed through [with signing] and we are in this for life,” Antwan said. “…and having all of our loved ones there and taking our vows before our family; the culmination of that moment really stuck out for me. And by the end of the night, I remember me and my frat brothers were bar hopping and ended up at the pool… it went on till 4 in the morning.”

The couple stayed behind and honeymooned in Jamaica for a week.

Words of wisdom: “Be honest and communicate. Talk often, and be open about everything, you cannot hide things from your spouse. It will come out… communication is key,” Antwan said.

“Having the fundamentals of friendship present in your marriage is so important. Even though people evolve and change over time, you can always find a way to reconnect through the fundamentals of friendship. And something new for us that we are trying ourselves is the ‘six-second kiss’ rule. Every morning when [one of us leaves] we kiss for 6 seconds, you count the kiss. People can look it up, there’s a science to support it. A six-second kiss releases oxytocin and it’s the same hormone that’s released during intimacy,” Jacquelyn said.

Happily ever after: The Harris’s attend Church of The Highlands Southwest campus in Bessemer, and have one daughter, Anya, 7.

Jacquelyn, 42, is a New Orleans, Louisiana native, and Saint Mary’s Academy grad [New Orleans]. She attended The University of New Orleans where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in business administration [MBA]. Jacquelyn and her husband Antwan relocated to Birmingham from Atlanta in 2022, for a job promotion, and she works as a sales executive for the Telco industry.

Antwan, 44, is a Flint Michigan native, and Flint Southwestern Academy grad [Flint, MI]. He attended Eastern Michigan University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Antwan works as the marketing communications director for the McWane Science Center, in downtown Birmingham.

“You Had Me at Hello’’ highlights married couples and the love that binds them. If you would like to be considered for a future “Hello’’ column, or know someone, please send nominations to Barnett Wright bwright@birminghamtimes.com. Include the couple’s name, contact number(s) and what makes their love story unique.

Birmingham Personal Injury Attorney | Guster Law Firm, LLC

Mayor Woodfin Announces Changes to Birmingham Police Department Command Staff

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Birmingham Times

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June 25, 2024

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Blue light flasher atop of a police car. City lights on the back — The largest Birmingham Police Department class since 2019 is underway at the academy. (File)

City of Birmingham

Lt. Rodarius Mauldin is Birmingham’s new Deputy Chief of Administration. (Provided)

Mayor Randall L. Woodfin has announced a reorganization of the Birmingham Police Department Command Staff. Woodfin has appointed Lt. Rodarius Mauldin as Deputy Chief of Administration.

The appointment takes effect immediately.

Mauldin began his law enforcement career in 2005 with the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole, where he served as a probation officer and investigator. He joined the Birmingham Police Department in 2010, serving in various capacities over the years including as a patrol officer, community project coordinator, dignitary protection, detective and public information officer. He played a significant role while assigned to the Hiring and Recruiting Unit. Most recently he has served as Executive Assistant to the Assistant Chief of Police.

The Deputy Chief of Administration is a newly created role in the department’s command staff. Mauldin will join Chief of Police Scott Thurmond, Deputy Chief of Special Operations Michael Pickett, and Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations Onree Pruitt.

Both the positions of Assistant Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Investigative Operations have been vacated. The mayor wishes to thank Assistant Chief La’Quaylin Parhm Mack and Deputy Chief Shelia Frazier-Finney for their dedicated service in these positions.

The Deputy Chief of Investigative Operations will be announced at a later date.

EXCLUSIVE — Miles College Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Birmingham-Southern College

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Birmingham Times

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June 24, 2024

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By Barnett Wright

The Birmingham Times

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Birmingham Business Alliance Exec Nan Baldwin Named New CEO for the Hoover Chamber

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Birmingham Times

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June 24, 2024

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Nan Baldwin 1 — Newly appointed Hoover Chamber of Commerce CEO Nan Baldwin and Interim President & CEO Tom Micelotta. (Hoover Sun, Je'Don Holloway Talley)

The Hoover Sun

The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday announced it has chosen an executive from the Birmingham Business Alliance (BBA) as the new CEO for the Hoover chamber.

The board of directors chose Nan Baldwin, who currently is the Birmingham Business Alliance’s vice president for chamber operations, a position she has held since 2022. Baldwin has been a member of the BBA team since 2009 and in April of this year was named the 2024 Alabama Chamber Professional of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama.

“Nan has the passion, drive and extensive knowledge to move the Hoover Area Chamber to a new level of service for our members and the community,” said Tyler Lipe, chairman of the chamber’s search committee and a consumer banking manager and senior vice president at Regions Bank, in a press release. “Her grasp of the issues facing businesses today is incredible. Nan has proven herself as a leader in the industry and someone who clearly can build teams and collaborate with other groups.”

Baldwin currently leads all initiatives relating to the “chamber of commerce” side of the BBA. She previously served as partner and vice president of regional development.

Other organizations for which she has worked include the Birmingham Metropolitan Development Board, University of Alabama, Samford University, BellSouth Telecommunications and Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.

She has a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in marketing from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in public and private management from Birmingham-Southern College. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organization Management.

In the chamber press release, Baldwin said she is more than excited to be part of the Hoover chamber team.

“The infrastructure for a solid business organization is already present,” she said. “Along with the current internal team of professionals, the board of directors and many other stakeholders in the community, I look forward to evaluating the existing initiatives the chamber has in place as well as building upon some new ideas that have been presented in the Elevate Hoover capital campaign strategic plan.”

Baldwin on Thursday said she plans to grow the Hoover chamber with more programming. “A chamber’s role is not only networking, but also educating members, advocating on public policy issues and providing ongoing programs to help businesses grow and scale,” she said.

She also emphasized the vital role of nonprofit organizations in community change.

“Nonprofits are integral to the community and need donors, board members and business support,” she said. “By involving nonprofits in the chamber and having them speak, we help them grow their causes and find supporters who believe in what they do.”

Rohen Porbanderwala, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, said in the news release that the board’s goal is to refocus the chamber and its energies.

“Nan is the right leader to provide us the framework to do just that,” Porbanderwala said. “She understands how to partner with other organizations and build relationships that benefit both parties.”

Je’Don Holloway-Talley contributed to this story.

African Heritage Fest at Birmingham Museum of Art Unites Through Music, Dance and Paintings

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Birmingham Times

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June 24, 2024

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BMA 1a — The African Heritage Festival at the Birmingham Museum of Art attracted more than 1,000 people of all backgrounds for the afternoon. (Provided)

The Birmingham Times

Kim Harper was in downtown Birmingham on Saturday, three days after the national celebration of Juneteenth, and said she was happy to see African culture observed throughout the year.

“We don’t just think about our history in February, and so to bring all this together at this time I think is a great thing,” she said.

Harper was talking about the African Heritage Festival at the Birmingham Museum of Art which attracted more than 1,000 people of all backgrounds for an afternoon of drum making classes, traditional African food samples, storytelling, fabric exploration and a panel discussion about the evolution of Black hair.

The auditorium inside the BMA was packed for a performance by Sahi On Ko Djony, which means “The time is now.”

“We try and celebrate our culture, the richness of our music, dance and the creativity of the arts that we contribute to this country and all over the world,” drummer Barry Johnson, founder of the group.

Ronique Carter another drummer with Sahi On Ko Djony said he other members look to educate as well as entertain.

“This is American history,” he said. “We’re here in America … It’s important that we don’t forget where we’ve come, and then also, when you know where you come, you know where you’re at, and then you can project, then know where you’re going.”

Sponsors included Medical Properties Trust and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.

WVTM-13 contributed to this post.

Subsidized Quality Child Care Could Be a Boost to Alabama Families

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Birmingham Times

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June 22, 2024

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Side view of a happy little boy looking at camera while his moth — Women's participation in the American workforce has reached a high point, but challenges around child care are holding back many working class parents. (Adobe Stock)

By Alaina Bookman | abookman@al.com

Just a fraction of Alabama families eligible for discounts to child care expenses actually get them.

Across the state, 102,820 children, ages 5 and under, from lower-income families are eligible for subsidized child care through the Child Care and Development Block Grant, but only 24% are actually served, according to new research from the First Five Years Fund.

Amanda Guarino, the managing director of policy and national partnerships of First Five Years Fund, a child care advocacy group that works with federal lawmakers to help make child care more affordable and accessible, said the Child Care and Development Block Grant is critical, especially for low income families. She is advocating for a higher level of funding from Congress.

“We work with the administration and Congress to try to educate them on the best courses of action for kids and families,” Guarino said. “Everything we do is in service to educating Congress about the importance of early learning programs.”

In 2022, almost 85,000 Alabama families needed access to child care but had no affordable, quality options in their communities, according to the Women’s Foundation of Alabama. Legislators and advocates continue to work toward possible solutions.

Researchers found that only 24,282 eligible Alabama children, ages 5 and under, are being served through the country’s primary federal grant program allowing states to provide child care assistance to low-income working families.

A lower-income working family of three would pay $72-$156 per month for center-based infant care with support from the grant, compared to $440-$908 per month, the price range a family that does not receive subsidies could pay, according to First Five Years Fund.

For some, that can mean the difference in affording rent, or gas or staying in the workforce.

“It’s so important, because we all know that the cost of care is so high right now, and it’s just hard to find as well, so it’s a lifeline for so many working parents,” Guarino said.

“It’s also wonderful because we know that parents need the support in finding and paying for care so that they can work or attend school and progress in their lives. For some, it’s really the only outlet that families have.”

How the grant works and how you can apply

The Child Care and Development Block Grant is the largest federal funding grant that is dedicated to providing assistance to mostly lower income families.

The grant is a pool of money divided up by the federal government at the Administration for Children and Families into block grants that go to every state, territory and tribal organization to offset the cost of care for low income families.

Families can apply for the subsidy through their state’s Department of Human Resources by providing proof of income. In Alabama, a family of three is eligible if they make $3,258 or less per month, with a cap at $39,096 per year. If there’s availability, which is currently limited in Alabama, the family is accepted into the program.

The subsidies can take one of two forms. In Alabama participating child care providers, who choose to opt in, are paid directly from the state. There are 1,838 child care providers accepting Child Care and Development Block Grant subsidies in Alabama.

A family can also receive a voucher from the state and take that to any participating provider as payment for their monthly child care. The provider would then take the voucher and cash it in with the state to get reimbursed for those child care costs.

A House subcommittee, led by Representative Robert Aderholt, R-AL, will soon be making decisions about the 2025 funding for the block grant.

Under the current funding levels, the subsidies only reach a fraction of the families who may need it.

“It could be helping so many more if it was funded to the level of the need that exists,” Guarino said. “It helps kids get the care they need in safe, supportive environments and families go to work. It helps our economy. When employers have a reliable workforce, it benefits society as a whole.”