WBDC, State Expand Childcare Funding
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and the Women’s Business Development Council announced July 30 a three-year expansion of the Child Care Business Support Program and Opportunity Fund.
The fund provides financial support to help existing and aspiring childcare businesses grow and train more providers.
The fund provides grants up to $25,000 to licensed and aspiring childcare businesses for training, certifying, and ultimately bringing more childcare educators and businesses into the field.
Childcare accessibility and affordability are key issues for workforce retainment and development for many businesses across the state.
According to the United Way of Connecticut, there are more than 40,000 childcare slots open in the state, but a lack of qualified and licensed educators has made it difficult to fill these slots.
Welcome News
The July 30 announcement is welcome news to business owners and aspiring childcare educators who are looking to help fill that void and expand the workforce.
According to WBDC, more than 9,000 jobs and 38,000 child care slots were created or retained through the 2020 WBDC Child Care Business Support Program.
“Childcare has a direct impact on workforce development and retainment for thousands of businesses across the state,” CBIA’s Paul Amarone said.
“The approach from OEC and the WBDC to incorporate business training and certification for childcare providers has and will continue to benefit working parents and their ability to access and afford high quality childcare.”
Legislative Wins
This past legislative session saw some major wins for the childcare industry, with the passage of a pilot tri-share childcare program in New London County and the expansion of the childcare business incubator program to up to 20 additional towns.
In addition to the push for more affordable and accessible childcare, the legislature also adopted a transformative bill crafted through the recommendations of a commission convened to streamline the educator certification process.
As noted by advocates for changes to be made to the current system, it’s been nearly 30 years since significant changes were made.
Combined, the initiatives are meant to drive buy-in from the business community when it comes to more affordable childcare for employees, while expanding the state’s provider workforce.
CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima currently sits on Gov. Ned Lamont’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Care and represents thousands of member companies in the effort to expand access and affordability for businesses.
For more information, contact CBIA’s Paul Amarone (860.244.1978).
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CBIA IS FIGHTING TO MAKE CONNECTICUT A TOP STATE FOR BUSINESS, JOBS, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. A BETTER BUSINESS CLIMATE MEANS A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE.