My name is Alba, a determined single mother of a one-year-old. I am a hardworking mom, currently studying nursing at the Community College of Rhode Island, and I work full-time as an assistant manager at a restaurant. My primary goal is to be a voice for other moms in my position—those who remain silent despite facing similar challenges.
Affording childcare is one of my greatest struggles. Even though I budget carefully to live within my means, my income still isn’t enough to cover the $1,000 monthly childcare costs. I rely on the Department of Human Services (DHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) subsidy to help pay for child care so I can keep working and providing for my family.
Yet, I face a difficult reality: Rhode Island is one of only a handful of states that require low-wage working parents to participate in child support enforcement actions in order to qualify for a child care subsidy. This requirement is very unusual and burdensome and not part of any other program designed to support early childhood development.
Navigating the Child Support Enforcement system is overwhelming. I am constantly drained by the emotional toll of pursuing child support, compounded by extensive paperwork and countless court appearances that conflict with my work schedule. Missing work isn’t an option for me, as I need to maintain enough hours to cover my monthly bills.
As a single mother striving to improve myself, provide for my family, and be present for my son, I ask that my words be taken seriously. I speak not only for myself but for other young, single mothers who are held back by fear from sharing their struggles. Each month, my anxiety grows as I worry about losing my job due to missing work for various court appointments, failing my child, and facing judgment from DHS officials. The subsidy intended to ease financial strain and enable my son to access a high-quality child care setting, has instead become a weight, holding me in a relentless cycle of stress related to child support enforcement.
We are fighting to build better lives for our families and need a fair chance to improve without compromising our mental health. I urge you to remove the child support enforcement requirement from the child care subsidy system, so hard working mothers like me can finally get ahead.