Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Member State Attorney Warren on Child Care

As a father, my children are the most important part of my life. As a prosecutor, I see my role in the criminal justice system through the lens of protecting my children and my family, my neighbors, and my community. A part of protecting my children is making sure I provide them with the tools they need to be successful, and one of the most important tools is the early learning that child care provides. My wife and I are fortunate to have had opportunities in life because of the high-quality education we received at a very young age, which is why I can see through my own experience how important child care can be. With my daughters, I see high-quality child care as starting them on a lifelong path to success. Giving them that opportunity is part of my promise to give them the tools to do anything they want to do in this world.

There’s no dispute that providing kids with a successful start helps them succeed in school, hold a job, and stay away from the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, quality child care is not available for every child, and it’s especially hard to access for families who need it the most. That’s why we have to push for child care access for all children. Parents are often forced to make a difficult choice when they want to invest in their kids but don’t have the financial ability to do so. That’s why communities need to help invest in our children.

As a prosecutor, I want to raise my family in a thriving, safe community—and ensure every child has early child care opportunities like my children did, no matter their financial status in society. High-quality child care is a vital component of building a safer, stronger Hillsborough County for everyone.