Helping Parents Balance Work and Family 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.Addressing the Needs of Children and YouthWhile parents have the primary responsibility for raising their children, we all have a role in helping our nation’s young people to achieve their full potential. Mrs. Clinton has used her voice as First Lady to remind Americans of our responsibility for helping all our children, particularly those who are most vulnerable.As the Administration’s most prominent advocate on foster care and adoption, Mrs. Clinton has worked on behalf of the over 500,000 c...
