Today more than ever, parents need support in their efforts to balance their responsibilities at home and at work. From quality child care and after-school programs to long-term care assistance, the First Lady has supported initiatives that help Americans with the most important of all duties, the care of their families.

Mrs. Clinton has worked tirelessly to make child care better, safer, and more affordable for America's working families and to ensure that children enter school ready to learn. She chaired the White House Conference on Child Care, which led to the Administration's proposal for substantial new investments in child care. In addition, Mrs. Clinton has championed significant new investments in programs where children can learn and be safe in the after-school hours. Recognizing that many Americans find themselves responsible for the care of their elderly or disabled relatives, Mrs. Clinton has also worked on behalf of initiatives to meet the long-term care needs of families.

Mrs. Clinton supported the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which has enabled millions of Americans to take job-protected leave following the birth or adoption of child, or for the care of a sick relative. Today the First Lady advocates for expanding the law to cover millions of additional workers and for providing tax relief for parents who stay home with their newborn or newly adopted children.

Child Care

Column on Child Care (2/2/2000)

Remarks to the Project Connect Child Development Program (6/4/98)

Remarks at the Redbook Magazine "Mothers & Shakers of 1998"Awards (6/2/98)

Column on Child Care (4/22/98)

Child Care Announcement at the White House (1/7/98)

Remarks by the President and First Lady at the White House Conference On Child Care (10/23/97)

Remarks on Child Care at the University of Maryland (10/3/97)

For more information on this topic, please visit The Child Care Bureau at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Column on Afterschool Care Programs (11/18/98)

21st Century Community Learning Centers/After School Grant Announcement (6/17/98)

For more information on this topic, please visit the 21st Century Community Learning Centers at the Department of Education.

Column on the Family Medical Leave Act (8/5/98)

For more information on this topic, please visit the Family and Medical Leave website at the Department of Labor.

Column on Long Term Care (1/6/99)

Remarks at the Long Term Care Event at the White House (1/4/99)

For more information on this topic, please visit the Administration on Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services.