New York State has witnessed a crumbling child care infrastructure that has evolved into an all-out crisis with the onset of the pandemic. Availability and affordability of child care have become crippling obstacles for working families and their employers. Many child care providers have been forced to close their doors, causing further strain. Without intervention, The Center for American Progress estimates that 50% of all child care providers nationwide are at risk of going out of business. In the North Country, 86% of census tracts identify as child care deserts.
The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NC REDC) has recognized the multi-generational value of investing in child care and made a commitment to address this widespread issue. As a result and prior to COVID, the Child Care & Workforce Advocacy Group was formed. With a main focus on increasing access to and improving affordability of child care, the groups have identified short term and long term needs. WDI’s Greg Hart, North Country Regional Director and Brittany Buffum, Child Care Program Manager, have been working with both the NC REDC and the Child Care & Workforce Advocacy Group to assist in providing content and expertise to address the region’s specific needs.
The joint recommendations from both groups have been conveyed to state and federal representatives through a series of events that have each contributed to building momentum for meaningful change in the North Country. Most recently, a three-point plan to support working families, child care programs and the child care profession itself were presented during a digital forum on September 16, 2020. The plan includes increased fiscal support to attract new child care providers to the field; expansion of facilitated enrollment to specific counties in the North Country; and a goal to address the lack of internet access and the effect this has on child care providers in the North Country. Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Betty Little and Assemblymembers Billy Jones and Dan Stec were in attendance and voiced their support to continue advocating for working families and the child care industry.
While these challenges are not unique to the North Country, the region’s approach is unique in that it has been actively strategizing solutions. The shared interest to address child care issues across the region has brought business, workforce development, economic development, child care advocates, and legislators together to make progress. The North County community has made it clear it recognizes that the child care industry is an integral part of the region’s economic recovery, and is vital to keeping the North Country working.
