Governor Dewine explains why child care is a budget priority
Gov. Mike Dewine held a press conference on Monday to reveal his budget proposal. He opened the meeting and talked about how the state can fund childcare services.
All children deserve high-quality early education.
Those who exaggerate this precious care deserve the salary that makes them flourish. Whether it is a child care provider or running a family business or a child care center, all early childhood educators should receive wages that enable them to take care of themselves and their families.
These core beliefs will not change according to the child’s postal code and will not be affected by the type of child care environment.
Ohio lawmakers face tough financial decisions, but funding parenting is not one of them.
Quality parenting is a smart move for our state as it helps businesses and our families thrive. Workers cannot work and businesses will not be able to operate without sufficient, affordable childcare services.
The truth is that Ohio faces serious challenges in equity funding in early childhood education and nursing. Fortunately, Governor Mike Dewine is committed to solving these problems. There are some specific things lawmakers can do to work with governors and early childhood educators.
The eligibility rate for child care subsidies should be increased.
The eligibility rate for child care is currently 145% of the federal poverty level.
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Dewine is working to increase it to 200% of federal poverty levels. When more families get care, more children are ready to take preschool and have achieved a trajectory of academic achievement for life. This will also allow early childhood educators to provide competitive wages, which in turn will allow more child care educators in nurseries.
Ohio needs fair parenting funding formula
The state’s reimbursement for child care operators is based on attendance rather than enrollment.
If the child is absent, the child care operator must consume the fees associated with the child who was not cared for that day. This can harm the parenting business. Likewise, the governor is aligned with this approach and we hope that lawmakers can work with him.
Child care educators should receive childcare services for their children
Childcare educators ensure that children have academic foundations and social emotional support to enable them to succeed in the long term. They often take care of other people’s children without the confidence to know how they will provide finances for their children.
Child care educators should provide free care for their children as well as competitive wages and benefits. Without sufficient investment, many people will leave the field with enthusiasm and expertise. Other states, such as Kentucky, have provided free child care to their child care staff, thereby promoting their nurseries through the infusion of workers needed.
Fix our tax regression system
Our country relies on returning to the tax system. This puts an inappropriate burden on those who cannot afford it. If everyone pays their due share, our state will provide adequate funding for priorities such as child care.
When nurseries are underfunded, there are child care deserts, limited nurseries and turnover. If we have a funding system similar to the way K-12 funding is funded, child care income can be guaranteed.
Our entire community – children, families, employers and early childhood educators – has an appropriate investment in childcare.
When the care economy fails, the entire community and business suffer. It should be clear that the nursing economy is a collection of workers who provide care; early childhood educators, home health care aides and others.
Currently, nursing economy educators are much lower and undervalued. So are our children and our communities when nursing economy educators are underpaid and undervalued.
Most importantly, when the care economy is in crisis, we are all affected. Fortunately, our elected leaders have the opportunity to solve this problem through our national budget.
Tamara Lunan is the director of Project, CEO of Ohio Organization Cooperation.