The Challenge We Must Address
Across Tennessee, families struggle to afford child care, employers face workforce shortages tied to child care access, and providers can’t recruit or retain enough early educators.
The current system leaves too many behind:
- Early educators often can’t afford care for their own children
- Middle-income families earn too much for assistance but too little to afford tuition
- Employers want to help but lack structured options
- Staffing shortages limit available child care slots
At the same time, Tennessee lacks a dedicated, sustainable funding source to address these challenges long term.
Without targeted investment, affordability gaps and workforce shortages will continue to hold back families and economic growth.e to hold back families, businesses, and Tennessee’s economy.
The Solution: The Promising Futures Fund
SB 2062 / HB 1979 would create the Promising Futures Fund — a dedicated funding source supported by revenues from vapor and hemp-derived cannabinoid products — to invest in proven child care solutions with built-in accountability.
The fund would support three targeted initiatives:
- Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot
Free child care for eligible early educators to stabilize and grow the workforce - CareShare Tennessee Pilot
Employer-supported child care through shared employer, employee, and state contributions - Smart Steps Plus
Assistance for middle-income working families who earn too much for traditional subsidies
What You Can Do: Be a loud voice for little kids and families!
Your voice matters — and legislators need to hear directly from parents, employers, educators, and community leaders across Tennessee.
Take a moment now to email your state legislators and urge them to support clearing Tennessee’s child care waitlist by filling out the form below (2-3 minutes).
Before sending, consider adding one or two sentences about:
- Your experience as a parent, employer, provider, or community member
- How child care affordability affects your family, workplace, or community
Personal stories — even brief ones — make a powerful impact.
