Judge Orders Child Care Aid for Thousands of Poor Parents

A federal judge on Friday ordered California to provide child care to thousands of poor parents in educational and training programs.

U.S. District Judge Saundra Armstrong ruled that the state was violating federal law by providing child care funds only to parents who take part in the state-sponsored program called Greater Avenues to Independence, or GAIN.

The suit was filed by parents on welfare who are in state-approved school or training programs but who have been dropped from GAIN or cannot enter it because of budget reductions.

Armstrong said a 1988 federal law requires child care, funded equally by state and federal governments, for all welfare-eligible parents in state-approved education and training programs.

The number of parents affected is unknown but will likely be in the thousands statewide, said Tanya Broder of the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County, one of the lawyers in the suit.

“I think our position and Congress’ position is that this money is an investment,” she said. “Ultimately, if women are given an opportunity to go to school and get the skills they need, they will become financially independent and will get off welfare.”

Budget analysts estimated that Armstrong’s order will cost the state $14 million to $41 million.