By Mike Shaver, President and CEO, Brightpoint
In Illinois, the often unseen challenge of diaper insecurity is placing a significant burden on families, a situation exacerbated by the soaring cost of diapers. With prices increasing by over 30% since the start of the pandemic, what many consider a basic child-rearing necessity has become an unaffordable luxury for too many. An estimated one in two families nationally now struggles with diaper insecurity. This economic pressure is not just about hygiene. It’s a matter of public health and economic stability, affecting a family’s day-to-day life, with broader implications for our society as a whole.
A story from one of our home visiting programs in Southern Illinois brings this issue to light. A mother of four — her youngest still in diapers — faces monthly anxiety over whether she has enough diapers to keep her child clean and dry. She meticulously calculates the exact number needed each month, but any slight change — a sickness or a step backward in potty training — can throw off her entire “diaper math,” leading to a scramble for more diapers. She describes the ordeal as a “whole side job in itself,” highlighting the complex decisions families must make, from delaying diaper changes to conserve resources to creating makeshift diapers in desperate times.
Although federally funded early care and education programs like Head Start provide diapers free of charge to qualifying families, many child care providers do not. Moreover, those child care centers can turn away families who do not have diapers for their children. A recent national study found that one in four families experiencing diaper insecurity had to miss an average of five days of work or school per month due to a lack of diapers.
We brought the idea of addressing diaper insecurity within child care programs to Illinois legislators because we want to advance policy solutions that strengthen families and prevent small challenges from transforming into life-altering crises. House Bill 545, sponsored by Rep. Joyce Mason D-61, aims to alleviate families’ financial strain by enabling child care providers in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to purchase supplemental diapers. To qualify for Illinois’ CCAP program, an applicant must be employed or in school and have a family income that does not exceed 225 percent of the federal poverty level, or $67,500 a year for a family of four.
House Bill 545 proposes that child care providers receive funds to provide 50 diapers per month for children in full-day programs and 25 for those in part-time care, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent children from attending child care and parents from working or pursuing education. This move is particularly crucial for the “ALICE” demographic — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — families above the poverty line but still struggling with the high cost of living and child care. These families, with incomes up to 275% of the poverty level, often find themselves ineligible for other benefits yet still unable to afford basic needs.
Additionally, child care programs participating in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program will not be able to turn children away when they run out of diapers — a first-of-its-kind policy in the nation. This legislative step represents a significant acknowledgment of the issue’s urgency and the need for systemic support.
Complementing this bill, Governor Pritzker is tackling diaper insecurity with his $ 1 million diaper program proposal. This program, aimed at providing free diapers through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), is a testament to the state’s commitment to addressing diaper insecurity head-on.
Together, House Bill 545 and Governor Pritzker’s diaper program represent a smart approach to supporting Illinois families by directly tackling the intertwined issues of public health, economic stability, and child care access. This ensures parents don’t have to choose between earning a living and managing diaper shortages.
Addressing diaper insecurity signifies more than policy change; it’s a reflection of a deep commitment to uplift and support every family, recognizing the profound impact such foundational support has on our society’s overall health and equity. Moreover, investments in shoring up the economic stability of families on the financial edge significantly reduce the risk of child neglect or maltreatment, making this a prudent long-term investment for Illinois taxpayers.
By addressing diaper insecurity head-on, Illinois is leading with compassion and pragmatism, setting a precedent for how we care for our children and those who care for them. In doing so, we can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent families from thriving, fostering a healthier, more equitable Illinois for all.
Mike Shaver is President and CEO of Brightpoint, a child and family service organization, formerly known as Children’s Home & Aid, serving nearly 30,000 children, youth, and families yearly in 67 Illinois counties.