ERDC Rally at the Capitol

Over 50 people joined the Rally to Save Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) last Wednesday afternoon at Oregon’s state capitol.

LBCC student Lisa Bauman set the date last month for the Rally to Save ERDC thinking she might be on the steps of the state capitol alone.

But Bauman’s many phone calls, e-mails and presentations payed off. Individuals and organizations signed up to attend the rally.

One of the first organizations to respond to Bauman, Children First For Oregon (CFFO), was key in spreading the word because of the many supporters they have acquired through their long time commitment to child advocacy.

On Feb. 9, the 50 plus rally participants included those who benefit the most from ERDC - children in day care.

Autumn David runs Salem’s Island Adventure Day Care. About half of the families she serves use the assistance program. If ERDC is cut, the day care she has operated for 14 years will not be able to stay open. She and Yuchin Johnny, who also works at Island Adventure Day care brought nine of the 16 children they care for.

Sue Mackey is a child care provider who currently does not have any clients on ERDC, but came to the rally because she is concerned about the children who will be effected if funding is cut. “It effects me right here,” Mackey said as she patted her heart. “I’m worried we’re going to get kids left at home alone or in cars.”

If ERDC is cut, many of the families currently receiving it will not be able to afford day care, and thus will not be able to work. For the day care facilities losing clients, and income, that means they will have to lay-off their employees or close their doors altogether. That means possibly two more families on full public assistance.

Rebekah Whittaker of SEIU 503, brought her young son Jackson with her to hand out information about the rally to state representatives. “The main focus of our child care workers has been ERDC,” Whittaker said. “ERDC saves the state economy.”

Regan Gray of CFFO said, “Probably the biggest thing that is helping us out right now is that the governor announced his recommended budget. He wishes to expand the Employment Related Day Care to 11,000 families. We’re very supportive of that, so the timing of this rally couldn't be better. The fact that we can say ‘thank you governor.’”