David Daniels: COVID-19 decisions must protect the most marginalized and vulnerable
The truest test of any society is how its most marginalized members fare during times of crisis. We at the Bainum Family Foundation ― like many others in philanthropy and across the nonprofit field here in DC ― have particular concern for one of our most vulnerable populations: While many of our lives are being inconvenienced during this COVID-19 crisis, roughly 53,000 children in low-income families in the District ― most of which are families of color ― are facing significant challenges from many angles.
Housing and job instability are very real threats. Parents working in industries that are likely to be hardest hit by social distancing ― such as retail, food service and hospitality ― are already struggling with wages that don’t fully meet their needs. This crisis makes them even more vulnerable to being laid off as these industries respond to government directives to close or limit operations, or employers attempt to stem their economic decline. These parents are also less likely to have sick leave or flexibility to work from home. All of this makes these families more vulnerable to eviction ― if they even have homes. DC has 22,000 children living in crowded housing and more than 1,500 who are homeless, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Those who are already homeless and doubling up may have to leave a friend’s or relative’s house to avoid overcrowding. Someone previously willing to lend a couch or a spare room may turn these families away now for fear of exposure.
These families may also face child care challenges. Child care providers may close, leaving parents scrambling to find alternatives and disrupting children’s attachments with their teachers and caregivers, which are vitally important for children’s development. And family members or neighbors may not be able to pitch in to help with child care if they themselves fall ill, are self-quarantined or also face job instability.
And let’s not forget that the approximately 5,000 members of the child care workforce are mostly women of color, who, like their counterparts in the retail, food service and hospitality industries, are underpaid and lack benefits, such as paid sick leave and insurance. These providers, too, will be vulnerable to any widespread closures. While schools have been front and center during this crisis, we need to also provide for those whom we entrust with the responsibility of teaching and nurturing our youngest children.
Last but not least, this crisis can also affect children’s nutrition and physical and mental health. Schools and child care providers are often an important source of regular meals for children whose families struggle with food insecurity. Similarly, families with children who have significant health needs (such as asthma, one of the most common childhood illnesses and one that affects 11% of DC children) might find themselves competing for access to a health care system strained by serving those with COVID-19. And collectively, adults’ ability to manage all of the increased stress presented by this crisis could exact a toll on our children, separate and apart from any diagnosable illness. Because of the way the early brain develops, high levels of sustained stress can interfere with our youngest children’s long-term development.
The Bainum Family Foundation applauds actions that local officials are taking, such as suspending evictions for tenants and foreclosed homeowners; making disaster grants and loans available for small businesses; continuing to make payments to child care facilities when they are closed or have fewer children attending; and offering flexibility so that families receiving child care subsidies or other public benefits (such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can remain eligible.
As this crisis unfolds, we urge DC’s leaders to continue to create and roll out efforts that take care of this vulnerable population, including allowing child care providers to waive co-pays for families who cannot afford them and helping providers address unexpected expenses such as substitute caregivers and cleaning and sanitation supplies. A new study of more than 6,000 child care providers nationwide conducted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children amid the current crisis found that 30% would not survive more than two weeks without support to pay staff and cover costs; 17% couldn’t cover a closure of any time without support.
We are also happy to see the groundswell of support from the philanthropic community. Our foundation ― like many others locally and nationally ― is considering how we can support our partners during this crisis so that they’re best positioned to serve and support children and families.
Our country has not faced a situation quite like this in our lifetime, and we need a response that protects those most marginalized. For our children’s sake and our community’s immediate and long-term benefit, we need to ensure that they have the supports they need to weather any storm, including the current one. If they come through the other end of this crisis growing and thriving, then we will have passed the test.
David Daniels is CEO and president of the Bainum Family Foundation, based in Bethesda, Maryland.
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