The American Rescue Plan is expected to help many families in Connecticut with child care, with $10 billion coming to the state.

Gov. Ned Lamont says he is expanding how many families qualify for state child care assistance.

For families already in the program, Connecticut officials are now offering free child care through September, which could save families more than $1,000 a month.

More help is expected for day care centers as well -- they'll receive bigger payments from the state, especially if they serve low-income families. Day care centers have struggled to stay open during the pandemic due to a combination of higher costs and parents keeping their kids home.

Gov. Lamont's announcement was made in conjunction with Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to the state Friday.

"Governor, you and the state -- along with your senators and others -- have really, as a state, been very progressive about what you have done -- and very courageous and innovative," Harris said.

"Help is here for the people of our community, people of our state, and all over the country," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who was also in attendance.

Connecticut's former Education Commissioner, Dr. Miguel Cardona -- who is now the Biden administration's secretary of Education -- says the money is a gamechanger.

"We're at a point in our history where the American Rescue Plan can really help us hit the reset button on things that were exacerbated during this pandemic," he said.

According to a press release from his office, Gov. Lamont's child care plan includes:

Expanding access: A two-year, $50 million investment to pay for child care through Connecticut’s Care 4 Kids program for parents enrolled in higher education and approved workforce training programs. 

Supporting child care workers: $120 million will be used for operational stabilization grants for struggling child care businesses that have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic. 

Investing in quality: $26 million over two years in high-quality child care programs that will pay substantially higher market rates to programs that are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association for Family Child Care. An additional $6 million will provide support and coaching to child care programs working to secure accreditation and related fees.

For more information on Gov. Lamont's child care plan, click here.