WNC Early Childhood Coalition Launches “Yes On Child Care” Campaign
Yes on Child Care banner
Child care in Western NC is approaching a crisis state. Already experiencing a severe shortage of affordable, accessible child care, NC is at risk of losing an additional 29% of child care centers across the state if funding cannot be found to replace the sunsetting stabilization grants, which were issued in 2021 to help fund over 10,000 child care slots during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lack of robust child care infrastructure doesn’t just create significant challenges for children and families. It also negatively impacts employers, businesses, schools, existing child care centers, institutes of higher learning and many others who depend on the presence of adequate, stable and affordable child care (especially for infants and below-school-aged children) in order to successfully maintain their core operational functions, as well as to recruit and retain staff.
As the Asheville Citizen-Times reports, “A 2023 N.C. Chamber Foundation survey found that 60% of parents with children who are ages 5 and younger said they had to miss work because of a problem with child care and 32% didn’t pursue job training or continued education because of a lack of affordable child care.” The Chamber also notes that “insufficient child care availability is costing North Carolina $5.65 billion in lost economic activity each year.” (NC Chamber report overview)
Say Yes On Child Care
Identifying and implementing a long-term plan to create a sustainable, well-funded child care system in North Carolina is critical to avoiding the severe negative impacts that losing this critical infrastructure would create, and is a priority focus area for the WNC Health Policy Initiative.
The WNC Early Childhood Coalition, a key partner in the WNC HPI’s Early Childhood Education workgroup, has launched the Yes On Child Care campaign to boost awareness of these issues and to provide opportunities for engagement and advocacy.
By joining this campaign, you can “stay up to date on the conversations, analysis, and actions shaping the future of WNC’s child care and learning programs” and access “education and advocacy opportunities” connected to the Coalition’s efforts to rebuild affordable, accessible childcare in WNC.
To learn more about the Yes on Child Care campaign, download the flier on the left or visit the campaign website by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below:
