Based on the United States’ Department of Health and Human Services recommendations, child care is unafforable for 80% of Idaho families. To alleviate the financial burden families with young children experience, Idaho can increase the income eligibility requirements for the Idaho Child Care Program to expand access.
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.