High turnout for discussion on lack of childcare options in Greater Minnesota
The GMNP held a conference call this morning to discuss the growing concern about the lack of childcare options in Greater Minnesota. When we put out the notice about the meeting a few weeks ago, we expected just a handful of people to express an interest. Instead, more than 75 people participated in the call. The fact that dozens of people participated in a conference call just before the start of a holiday weekend makes it clear that there is a lot interest in trying to tackle these issues regarding childcare in Greater Minnesota!
As was mentioned on the call, several local, regional, state and national studies have been done on these issues. Below are links to the studies and articles that were discussed. As we get more studies and information, we will add them to our website.
- Legislative Task Force on Access to Affordable Child Care (January 2017)
- A quiet crisis: Minnesota’s child care shortage (Center for Rural Policy and Development, September 2016)
- Greater Minnesota’s Child Care Center Wage & Rate Survey Results (Minnesota Initiative Foundations, March 2017)
- Southwest Minnesota Child Care Center Wage and Rate Survey Results (March 2017)
- Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, June 2017)
- Kids Can’t Wait: 2017 Legislative Agenda (Children’s Defense Fund, January 2017)
- It’s time for an ambitious national investment in America’s children (Economic Policy Institute, April 2016)
- United Way of NE Minnesota Child Care Study Results
We’d also like to extend a sincere thank-you to everyone who shared their knowledge and insights during the call today, especially those who helped us keep this call focused and organized including:
- Marnie Werner of the Center for Rural Policy and Development (mwerner@ruralmn.org)
- Tim Penny, President of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (timp@smifoundation.org)
- Nancy Jost, Early Childhood Coordinator for West Central Initiative (njost@wcif.org)
- Erin Shay of the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (erin@unitedwaynemn.org)
Over the next weeks and months, the GMNP staff and members of our Board of Directors will continue to gather information on this issue and explore ways in which our organization can help be a part of a solution. If you are interested in being involved in this effort, please send us an email at childcare@gmnp.org.
