Drop-In Child Care to Reduce Barriers to Vaccine Access

CHICAGO – In support of a White House effort to remove barriers to individuals receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, YMCAs serving more than 500 communities in 38 states are offering free, drop-in child care during vaccination appointments for parents and caregivers who need it. The offering is the latest in the Y’s efforts to help ensure equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines and provide children a safe and enriching environment to grow and thrive.

“The Y is committed to supporting equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans. As the nation’s largest nonprofit child care provider, we know that lack of access to child care can be a barrier for parents and caregivers, particularly in marginalized communities,” said Kevin Washington, president and chief executive officer, YMCA of the USA. “Vaccinations are critical to fully and safely reopening our communities and returning to normalcy, so the Y is doing our part to reach the White House’s goal of 70 percent of adults with at least one dose by July 4."

The free, drop-in child care is the latest offering by Ys to provide safe and enriching places for children to learn and grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. When schools shut down last March, more than 1,400 YMCA sites offered child care to first responders and essential workers. Expanded child care and day camps provided support to parents over the summer. As children returned to school last fall, more than half of all Ys worked with local school districts to provide some form of virtual learning support, including transforming Y facilities into virtual learning spaces.

Ys across the country have also worked to ensure equitable access to information about the COVID-19 vaccines and to the vaccines themselves. Ys have provided communities with accurate information about the vaccines, served as vaccine distribution centers, and partnered with public and private entities, including state and local health departments, CVS and Lyft to help ensure those that want to receive the vaccines can.

Parents should contact their local YMCA to learn if it is offering free, drop-in child care during vaccination appointments. Visit Find Your Y to find YMCAs in your area. Find more information about the White House's effort to reduce barriers to vaccine access at www.vaccines.gov/incentives.html.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine access, safety and efficacy through our library of resources that includes expert, science-backed information.

About the YMCA

Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Visit ymca.org.

Wednesday, June 02, 2021