YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Child care remains one of the biggest challenges for new parents and a barrier for workforce attraction and retention for employers across the Mahoning Valley.
The Early Childhood Resource Center, in partnership with PNC, Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, will host a community breakfast to focus on these issues.
The Landscape of Child Care in Mahoning Valley event will be held from 8:30 to 11 a.m. May 14 at the Atrium at Alta Campus of Care, 1960 E. County Line Road, Mineral Ridge.
“Investing in early care and education strengthens the workforce by ensuring parents have access to reliable child care and employers retain skilled talent,” said Maria Spencer, director of early care and education services at the Early Childhood Resource Center. “This is an exciting opportunity for business leaders, policymakers and community members to come together, better understand the challenges facing working parents and collaborate on sustainable solutions that support families and economic growth.”
The breakfast aims to foster collaboration among businesses, community organizations and community leaders to discuss innovative solutions. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s newly piloted Early Care and Education Business Partnership Grant is providing the opportunity to bring together businesses, government and nonprofit entities with the Ohio DYC to expand child care access for eligible families by sharing the cost.
The program aims to help businesses address workforce challenges by ensuring employees have access to affordable, reliable child care, which allows parents to remain or return to the workforce.
“When we talk about workforce development, we also must discuss what makes it possible for people to participate, and child care is central to that,” said Carol Holmes-Chambers, community solutions director for Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries. “This event is a reminder that child care isn’t just a policy issue – it’s a matter of community well-being. We’re happy to collaborate with partners who understand that supporting families is essential to building a stronger future for our Valley.”
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the lack of child care results in an estimated $5.48 billion in lost economic activity in Ohio, which means the state loses $1.52 billion annually in tax revenue.
Child care-related employee turnover and absenteeism costs employers $3.97 billion annually, in part because 70% of parents of young children missed work or class at least once in the last three months because of child care, according to the foundation.
Of parents who find their employment disrupted by child care issues, 33% reported leaving the workforce. Another 36% of parents either in school or work training made significant adjustments to their schedules due to child care.
“About a third of parents who left the workforce in the last year say they did so because of child care issues,” said Brenda Linert, director of community impact for the Regional Chamber. “The Regional Chamber has taken on this initiative because we know that local businesses, already struggling to attract and retain workers, cannot afford to lose valuable talent for this reason.”
The May 14 event will include an overview of the Early Childhood Resource Center services, an update on the status of child care in the Mahoning Valley and the overview of the Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries Assembly for Workforce Solutions Steering Committee at 9 a.m.
At 10 a.m., an overview of the Early Care and Education Business Partnership Grant will be given by Joel Potts of the Ohio DCY. Breakfast and networking will start at 8:30 a.m.
Register HERE by May 7.