Whereas there is a growing need on the part of families for care, from childcare to support for older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities; Whereas childcare workers provide the essential service of taking care of a child’s basic needs while fostering a child’s early emotional, social, and intellectual development; Whereas direct care workers allow older adults, individuals with disabilities, and children with complex medical needs to remain in their homes and communities and live healthy, independent, and dignified lives by providing support with critical daily tasks, such as eating, dressing, and personal hygiene; Whereas investment in care workers is vital to labor force participation and a strong economy; Whereas care workers give family caregivers the assurance that their homes are being looked after and that their children, parents, and loved ones are in the hands of professionals; Whereas care work is an industry that particularly benefits women, who account for the majority of the care workforce, and that allows other women to participate in the labor force; Whereas access to childcare and home and community-based care helps families boost their economic stability by working increased hours, taking fewer days off, and pursuing opportunities to advance their education and careers; Whereas, when families are forced out of the labor market due to caregiving responsibilities, they will experience diminished income, access to benefits, and retirement savings over their lifetimes; Whereas children who receive high-quality childcare are healthier, more likely to graduate from college, and more likely to have higher incomes; Whereas substandard wages and poor working conditions continue to fuel shortages and turnover in the care industry; Whereas the median annual earnings for full-time childcare workers and home care workers is less than $30,000, and, as a result, nearly 1 in 6 home care workers lives in poverty, and 1 in 3 childcare workers is experiencing food insecurity