. Idaho Child Care Workforce Calls on Idaho Legislature to Prioritize the Future of Child Care Child care businesses across Idaho took time on Wednesday to demand action from the Idaho Legislature to reinstate funding and develop a plan for the future of child care. BOISE, Idaho — Child care business owners, employees, parents, and…
“On Friday, education leaders discussed how after-school programs throughout the state can bolster students’ academic success, confidence, and sense of belonging. They are not a fix-all solution to all that ails Idaho’s youth, but they do provide a way to move forward. The panel was part of a two-day Idaho Out-of-School Network conference that was…
“Emily Allen, outreach and policy associate at Idaho Voices for Children, has worked with child care providers over the past two years to understand their needs and how changes in Idaho policy could meet those needs. Allen joined the Workforce Development Council’s committee and tried to help craft the grant application process with those providers…
Prior to the pandemic, Idaho was short roughly 20,000 child care spaces to meet the demands of many working families with small children. Senate Bill 1408 appropriates $15 million to Governor Little’s Child Care Infrustructure Grant program managed by the Idaho Workforce Development Council to expand our state’s child care supply and meet the needs…
In April 2020, Idaho was on track to permanently lose over 27,000 child care spots throughout the state. Through three pandemic relief packages, Congress provided direct relief to the child care industry and worked to stabilize the services working families with young children rely on for peace of mind while earning a pay check. Read…
Idaho is one of a handful of states that doe not dedicate public funding to the early education system. This leaves our early education industry dependent upon federal funding through the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to meet the needs of young Idahoans. Complicating the ability for child care business owners to provide for…
It is critical families with young children have access to safe, stable home environments to promote healthy development for their children. Idaho’s housing market, however, continues to be unattainable for families across the state. Even before the pandemic, there was a shortage of over 20,000 affordable and available housing options for modest earning families.
“‘The vast majority of Idaho child care providers are small businesses that operate on thin margins in normal times to accommodate as many families as possible,’ said Emily Allen, a policy associate with Idaho Voices for Children, a non-profit formed in 2004 with the goal of advancing public policies focused on child care and child…
“Emily Allen, an outreach and policy associate with Idaho Voices for Children, said, ‘It’s at the point where providers are scared and nervous and are not sure how to have their voices heard.’ That’s led to the push for Monday’s outreach. It will include a virtual event at 9 a.m. for those unable to come…
“One year into the coronavirus pandemic, and the Idaho Legislature continues to play games with resources many industries desperately need to stay afloat. Specifically, I am shocked by the lack of understanding in the Statehouse of how important the child care industry is to our state’s economy. Over 200 child care providers in Idaho have…