COV I D A M P L I F I E S
The Child Care Crisis by Kathryn Millhorn
We seem to be operating in crisis mode 24/7 these days. But even before the pandemic, there was a wave building threatening to swamp employers and employees alike: the childcare crisis. Finding safe, reliable, affordable and available childcare costs families time and money. Local civic leaders are working tirelessly to address this growing problem right here in Thurston County.
In July 2021, the Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston Child Care Task Force showed that "Fifty-one percent of parents stated that the cost of care was unaffordable for their families [and] the need for after-school care is a pressing concern that was echoed by 47% of respondents."
David Schaffert, President/CEO of the Thurston County Chamber, said, "The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated conditions that existed before the pandemic. Child care was already expensive, and child care providers already operated with thin margins."
April Root operates a small child A USA TODAY analysis of new care center in Rochester. She said, "I Census data shows that "Americans have one classroom that is licensed A recent report from Columbia missed more work than ever before for 17 children. Every time a child University explains that "For over two due to child care problems in 2020, tests positive, we have to close for decades, access to childcare in the and the burden was shouldered ten days. We closed right before U.S. has been diminished by high almost exclusively by women." Christmas from a positive exposure, costs, poor quality, and burdensome told to close for 14 days, returned regulations. As a result, parents In addition, the analysis showed that for 1.5 days and had to close again are pushed out of the labor force… "the number of women with child but this time for 10 days....we just According to a study done by the care-related absences in any month re opened 3 days ago. We recently Department of Health and Human more than doubled from 2019 to had to close can't afford to close Services, childcare costs an average 2020. Women accounted for 84% of again. I've worked too hard to lose of $11,000 per year, per child, which is all workers who missed work in the this business. But when we close five more than the price of public college average month last year due to child times in 12 months, it is hard to keep in 33 states." care issues–a five-year high." going." thurstonchamber.com
Thurston County Chamber VOICE
I February 2022
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