Raimondo’s budget proposes rate hikes for child care workers

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo is proposing that the state spend $1.5 million on rate hikes for child care workers.

She discussed her fiscal 2019 budget proposal for state-subsidized day care operators, many of whom work at home, Wednesday in Providence.

Raimondo wants a tiered reimbursement model that allocates higher rates for higher-quality programs. Less than 10 percent of providers have high ratings.

The Providence Journal reports the increases would benefit child care workers represented by the Service Employees International Union, who are in contract negotiations with the state. Reimbursement rates currently range from $170 a week for full-time care for an infant or toddler in a licensed private home to $194 in a day care center.

Raimondo says the proposal isn’t an attempt to get their backing for the election.