The General Services Administration has joined a short list of agencies offering child care subsidies to qualified employees, agency officials announced last week.
The child care subsidy plan was negotiated with the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees. Under the plan, qualified families can apply for the subsidy, which covers the difference between what parents pay for care and 10 percent of their total family income.
"We worked in partnership with the agency in developing this initiative, and GSA should be commended for moving out so quickly on it," said Carl Yates, AFGE Council 236 president.
Under a new law, agencies may use appropriated funds to help lower-income employees cover the costs of child care in licensed child care centers.
At GSA, families must meet a total income threshold to qualify for child care support. For families with one child, the threshold is $35,000. The rate goes up in $3,000 increments for each additional child.
"Child care simply costs too much for many workers," said GSA Administrator David Barram. "I am proud that GSA is one of the first federal agencies to seize this opportunity, for we see it as part of our continued commitment to work/life issues."
The subsidy program must be reauthorized for 2001 in order to continue beyond its fiscal 2000 expiration date.
According to the Office of Personnel Management, the National Treasury Employees Union has negotiated child care subsidy agreements with agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services and with the IRS.
Additional information about the final regulations and a guide to implementing them is available at www.opm.gov.
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