NC’s childcare crisis disproportionately affects disabled kids. A lawmaker says it’s time for change

Families of disabled children in North Carolina face significant challenges in finding affordable and accessible childcare, leading to long waitlists, high costs, and untrained staff. State lawmaker Zack Hawkins, a father of two children with autism, advocates for policy changes, including recent budget allocations for higher pay for direct-support professionals and increased Medicaid funding for disability resources.