By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Understanding and solving child care challenges are keys to strengthening Kentucky’s workforce and growing the economy, according to a pair of studies recently release by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
In one of the reports that assessed the child care gap in Kentucky — which occurs when “the number of children who potentially need child care exceeds capacity” — Barren County is listed among the 10 counties with the highest child care gaps at 56.4 percent, or 1,027 children. Barren County is a Category 2 childcare desert meaning there are at least 3 children for every available childcare slot, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services states.
“This new research makes it clear: access to child care is a critical workforce issue, and addressing it is essential to Kentucky’s economic future,” said President and CEO of the chamber Ashli Watts. “Making progress requires thoughtful research, cross-sector collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose—this effort rises to that challenge and offers Kentucky a roadmap for action.”
The other report — A Workforce Solution that Works — found that expanding access to child care and making it more affordable could enable between 16,000 and 28,000 Kentucky parents to join or return to the workforce. Currently, Kentucky is ranked eighth lowest in workforce participation with an 80.6 percent, according to preliminary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The focus on child care could generate between $599 million and $1.1 billion for Kentucky in new wages and state tax revenues, according to the chamber.
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