Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan shared the findings of the city’s Child Care Solutions Task Force, highlighting the need for quality and affordable childcare systems. The task force, which included local employers, philanthropic leaders, childcare providers, educators, and parents, provided eight suggestions to increase childcare access throughout Jacksonville.

Challenges and Solutions

Lynn Sherman, the city of Jacksonville’s executive director of health programs, emphasized that loving children is not enough to solve the challenge. Some parents have had to reduce their work hours or not go to work at all due to the lack of affordable childcare options. The report also spotlighted the reverberations that can be felt if a caregiver’s system is interrupted, particularly for low-income families.

Yasmina White, a member of the task force and mother of two school-aged children, noted that summertime magnifies the need for quality and affordable childcare systems. She personally observed a 40% increase in childcare costs for the same care at similar ages. White advocated for single-income households, children with disabilities, teenage mothers, and families who may be raising a young child while juggling the health concerns of their elders.

The Child Care Tax Credits Program, which allows employers to receive tax write-offs for payments to childcare facilities on an employee’s behalf, was cited as a potential solution. However, White noted that there is still work to be done, particularly in addressing the underpayment of women in childcare roles.

Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.