BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) — As part of an effort to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in southwest Virginia, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine is set to host a discussion Friday morning with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley on childcare amid the pandemic.

Officials say this childcare discussion follows Kaine’s round-table discussion at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute regarding the impacts of the coronavirus on University leadership earlier in the day.

Throughout the pandemic, Kaine has pushed for relief to support families and childcare providers, as well as expanded access to childcare.

For example, according to the senator’s office, Kaine successfully worked to include his proposal with U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) to increase funding, flexibility, and eligibility for the Child Care & Development Block Grant (CCDBG) — thus helping to guarantee access to childcare access for healthcare providers and other essential workers — as part the CARES Act.

In addition, Kaine reportedly introduced the Child Care is Essential Act back in June, which aims to create a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund within the existing CCDBG program.

This discussion with the Community Foundation of the New River Valley is scheduled to take place in the Blacksburg Farmers Market at the corner of Roanoke Street and Draper Road at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, July 17.

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