FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richmond, VA — On Wednesday, January 21, a delegation of Hopkins House parents, educators, staff, and trustees traveled to Richmond, Virginia, to participate in 2026 General Assembly Advocacy Day, joining more than 100 parents, childcare providers, educators, and community members from across the Commonwealth to advocate for affordable, high-quality childcare.
Participants raised awareness among legislators about the steeply rising cost of childcare and the urgent need for sustained public investment in early childhood programs — investments that are essential for healthy child development, workforce participation, family stability, and Virginia’s long-term economic competitiveness. Advocates are calling for $681 million in additional state funding in the FY27–28 biennial budget to continue progress toward a fully funded, high-quality childcare system that meets the needs of working families.
To ensure broad parent participation, and promote parent self-advocacy, Hopkins House chartered a bus and provided sunrise childcare, enabling working parents to attend and share their perspectives directly with lawmakers. Last year, similar advocacy efforts helped secure billions of dollars in state investments for Virginia’s childcare system. This year, with federal childcare funding and other support to states uncertain, advocates emphasized that maintaining momentum at the state level is more important than ever.
The Hopkins House delegation was led by Helen Clemens (pictured 3rd from the right), a Hopkins House Trustee and parent of a Young Scholar at the Helen Day Preschool Academy. The group met with 18 legislators and legislative staff, including The Honorable Charniele Herring (pictured 4th from the right), a prominent member of the General Assembly and a Hopkins House Trustee.
“As both a working parent and a Trustee, I know firsthand how critical high-quality childcare is for families like mine,” said Clemens. “Without meaningful government investment, childcare quickly becomes unaffordable for working parents, even when programs are doing everything possible to control costs. Sustained public funding is essential to keep quality care within reach, support educators, and ensure children get the strong start they deserve.”
“Hopkins House is strongly committed to working with parents, educators, advocates, and policymakers,” said Clemens, “to advance solutions that strengthen Virginia’s childcare system and expand access to safe, affordable, high-quality care for all families.”
Advocacy Day is organized by Virginia Promise Partnership, a coalition of organizations, including Hopkins House, committed to ensuring that all Virginia families have access to affordable, quality childcare by 2030.
