PERSPECTIVE: Missouri must continue commitment to Child Care Works program
For years, Missouri’s child care shortage has been more than a family challenge — it’s been a quiet brake on our economy. When parents can’t find reliable affordable care, they can’t consistently stay in the workforce. When employers can’t count on a stable workforce, growth slows. And when communities can’t attract and retain talent, everyone feels it.
Thanks to Gov. Mike Kehoe, Missouri has a national model for tackling the child care crisis — Child Care Works. This practical, community-driven program is built around outcomes that matter: more access, more affordability and a more reliable workforce.
We didn’t arrive here on hope alone. The Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce and area partners led community research that confirmed what many families and employers have been experiencing for years. The number of children who need care is higher than the number of available slots, and only 67 percent of infants and toddlers are served by existing capacity. Meanwhile, families are paying 14 percent or more of their income for childcare on average — and about 20 percent for infant and toddler care.
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