Walk into any ANC meeting across the District and you’ll find passionate debate, powerful ideas and public service in action. But what you won’t often find—especially in person—are families with young children. That’s not because parents don’t care. It’s because they literally cannot afford to show up. As the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for Deanwood and Burrville in Ward 7, I’ve spoken with many residents who want to participate in public meetings but are forced to stay home—not by choice, but by the lack of accessible, affordable childcare. Our current laws make it harder.
DC Code currently allows ANCs to reimburse individual Commissioners for childcare expenses, but explicitly prohibits using local funds to support childcare for the general public. This restriction reinforces inequities and keeps too many parents, particularly single caregivers and working families, out of the civic process. This is why I introduced a resolution and proposed legislation urging the DC Council to amend the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions Act of 1975. We must expand how ANC funds can be used, to include offering on-site or nearby childcare during public ANC meetings across all eight wards. This is not an issue limited to my Ward. This is an issue of democracy.
We learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the most important lessons was that government can—and should—meet people where they are. Virtual meetings on platforms like Zoom, Webex, and Microsoft Teams have made ANC and Council of DC meetings more accessible than ever before. Technology brought government closer to the people.
However, many parents of young kids would prefer not to be stuck in the house juggling kid duty while trying to focus on an ANC meeting from a laptop in the kitchen. For many families, virtual options are not enough. Yes, they offer one method of participation, but they shouldn’t be the only one. What about the parents who want to attend in person? What about those who want to build community face-to-face, ask questions directly, and bring their concerns to light in a shared space? That level of civic engagement should be supported—not shut out by outdated policies.
The proposal I put forward—called the ANC Meeting Childcare Equity Amendment Act of 2025—lays out clear standards to ensure safety and quality. ANCs would be able to partner with certified childcare providers or individuals who meet strict criteria: at least 25 years old, with three years of relevant experience or a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and no familial relationship to the children in their care.
This is not a luxury. It’s a basic need. Civic access requires structural support. If we truly want broader participation in decisions that affect housing, public safety, education, and public services—we must create the conditions for families to be involved. That means recognizing childcare as civic infrastructure. This is a low-cost, high-impact change that will increase equity, transparency, and engagement across the District. Each ANC would still decide how to allocate its funds, but they should at least have the authority to meet this growing need.
If we say we value family voices, we must create space for them to be heard. So here’s my ask: If you believe in an inclusive local government, contact your Councilmembers and urge them to support this legislation. And to my colleagues in leadership—let’s take down one more barrier to civic life. We can’t expect families to show up if we don’t make it possible for them to be there.