Childcare reform advocates demonstrate in front of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus during the third annual Day Without Childcare on Monday, May 13, 2024.COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio business leaders are lining up behind a legislative plan to earmark millions in state funding for a pilot program that would have the state, employers and families share in the cost of child care.
“We have an entire demographic of Ohioans that are skilled, they’re educated, they’re hard working, yet they aren’t able to work or they aren’t able to work more hours,” Carfagna said. “This is coming at a time when again all industries across our economy can’t find or keep good help. Those child care barriers equate to a workforce crisis for our state.
“As our state attracts new and expanding industries such as electric vehicle batteries, semiconductors and aerospace technology, we need to ensure we have the skilled workforce to make these investments a success. Childcare is a major inhibitor to businesses filling their workforce shortages.
“Fixing these problems will require flexibility, creativity and a collective and shared responsibility across the public and private sectors. Until we do more, however, families and businesses are just going to continue to pay the price.” Carfagna said Wednesday. The program would be open to families making up to 300% of the federal poverty line, which currently is $77,460 for a family of three and $93,600 per year for a family of four, Johnson said in an interview. The program would be administered statewide through regional hubs, which could include nonprofits such as United Way.
“For now we’re being modest. $10 million is not a lot of money in grand scheme of things, but it is a start,” Reynolds said.
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