State of Rhode Island and Care.com Partner to Provide Access to Child Care for Frontline Workers During COVID-19 Crisis

At a press conference this afternoon, Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Department of Human Services Director Courtney Hawkins announced that the state of Rhode Island has partnered with Care.com to increase child care access for frontline workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to providing 90 days of free, premium access to their services, Care.com has created portals specifically for frontline workers and caregivers in Rhode Island.

Starting today, frontline workers looking for child care can visit www.care.com/rineed to find a local caregiver. Rhode Island residents interested in becoming caregivers can visit www.care.com/rigive to register. Potential caregivers are subject to Care.com’s extensive background and safety checks. While child care services are not typically free of charge, the Rhode Island portal gives residents the ability to waive their fees and volunteer as caregivers, providing additional support to frontline workers.

“Frontline workers are critical to Rhode Island’s response to COVID-19,” said Governor Raimondo. “Among others, medical professionals, emergency workers, grocery store and pharmacy employees, and members of law enforcement are working around the clock throughout this crisis. I’m proud that Rhode Island has partnered with Care.com to connect these heroes with safe, affordable child care.”

“I know firsthand that ensuring that my own child is safe and cared for is what allows me to go to work every day,” said Director Hawkins. “I am so grateful to Care.com and the Governor for stepping up and being willing to support our most critical workers during this unprecedented time.”

Care.com CEO, Tim Allen, said, “We applaud Governor Raimondo and the state of Rhode Island for taking such proactive measures in support of the essential frontline workers battling this pandemic. Care.com is honored to partner with them and we hope other municipalities will follow their lead. We stand at the ready to provide whatever help we can.”

About DHS:

The mission of the Department of Human Services (DHS) is to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have the opportunity to thrive at home, work and in the community. Every month DHS provides access to subsidized childcare for nearly 10,000 Rhode Island children and is also responsible for the quality improvement and licensure for all childcare in RI across more than 900 centers and family childcare homes.

About Care.com:

Available in more than 20 countries, Care.com is the world’s leading platform for finding and managing high-quality family care. Care.com is designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s families and caregivers, offering everything from household tax and payroll services and customized corporate benefits packages covering the care needs of working families, to innovating new ways for caregivers to be paid and obtain professional benefits. Since 2007, families have relied on Care.com’s industry-leading products—from child and elder care to pet care and home care. Care.com is an IAC company (NASDAQ: IAC).

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