Knutson Construction Services’ Post

Explore an additional perspective on curbing child care profiteering in the The Hechinger Report: https://lnkd.in/eG8qAbb7

Kentucky parents need & want high-quality, affordable child care. This is a huge barrier to growing the KY workforce. Take a look at this article from Northern Kentucky Tribune for more insight into the poll results. #StrongStartKY #AffordableChildCare

The “Childcare Cliff” and and State funding for childcare centers is not just about paying people a living wage. Or making sure our children have high — quality childcare — as if that isn’t important enough. It’s also about preventing the trauma of having people lose jobs because they cannot go to work if they don’t have childcare. It’s about children being protected by being in safe, stable, nurturing environments. It’s about people who have dedicated their lives and careers to caring for our children being treated with dignity and respect and the ability to earn a decent living. And business will soon find out it’s about keep the NC economy thriving because businesses don’t want to be where people are unable to focus on work because childcare is unstable, unreliable, or unsafe. This is fundamental. Legislators who don’t support this funding need to be turned out. Seriously. If you say you’re for families and don’t support funding this legislation and cause, there is a disconnect between your words and actions. Sharon Hirsch Emma Biggs Stephen Coggins Kristin Stout Benjamin Schachtman

ICYMI: Funding from the American Rescue Act of 2021 has run out, which could leave 3.2 million kids without spots at daycare centers – and force many parents to either find new care or leave their jobs. You deserve better. Now, it’s time for companies to step up (because the gov clearly … is not). Good news: Some already have by sharing their child care policies on social media as part of our #ShowUsYourChildCare campaign with Moms First. And today we’re launching the #ShowUsYourChildCare Database – to put the policies of the 70+ companies who’ve stepped up so far all in one place. Check it out: https://skimmth.is/48JiSuW

Check out this recent article in the Randolph Hub about the impending child care crisis and what the Partnership is doing to bring awareness and collaboration in the community to find a solution.

In North Carolina, state level data shows a loss of nearly 4 percent of child care programs since the start of the pandemic - a net loss of 203 licensed child care programs statewide. If each program served just 5 kids, that's 1,000 children and their families impacted by those closures. Congress and state governments can and must work together to invest in our children and families to #fundchildcare and #solvechildcare https://lnkd.in/e9BJiasC

#NewResource: Understanding the State and Local Role in Home-Based Child Care via National Association of Counties These resources are designed to help state and local policymakers better understand the unique strengths of home-based child care and the challenges facing these providers. The briefs also provide examples of how states, counties and cities are thinking creatively about ways to support and invest in home-based providers and the families they serve. Access resources: https://lnkd.in/eJMNiuMP

While it may be difficult to quantify the need for child care services in #rapidcity, the need certainly does exist. See how Elevate is using this opportunity to make a difference in the current child care landscape: https://lnkd.in/e4Px7cSe

With the constant debate surrounding hybrid/remote work and “RTO” (return to office), the issue of child care MUST be in the conversation. I remember when our daughter was born. My wife and I had moved to a Houston to advance both of our new careers (it was second career time for us both)and quickly found that even “local” family was too far away to be helpful on a daily basis- **ahem**urban sprawl. We also (like most new parents) learned that whether your child was there one day or all five working days in a week, you are required to pay for the entire week (I get it- child care is a business too). For two new parents with “entry level” pay, it wasn’t easy. $1000 here and there from grants, tax breaks, etc help - but not nearly enough. Child care costs (if you can get in) are high. Rents/mortgages are high. Cars are expensive (Houston’s mass transit is not helpful for most. The challenges weren’t much easier (or less expensive) when we moved back to Tulsa. Today, my travel schedule is erratic as I often travel to my client locations, and my wife works a hybrid schedule. Even then, until our daughter was 10, we continued to pay for a sitter to keep her entertained even if we were both at home- because we had to work! So the question remains, how DO we make child care considerations a priority to open up real action as a WORKFORCE SOLUTION to help those capable and desiring to work to have that opportunity? We solve this, and rhebWORKFORCE will be #InPositionToWin!

What a creative strategy....