The child care system in Texas is broken, impacting working parents and costing the economy over $9 billion annually. Quality care is unaffordable and hard to find, leading parents to miss work or leave the workforce entirely. A study is underway to identify the needs of parents in child care deserts and available options, with North Texas businesses showing interest in addressing the issue.
Solutions proposed include offering free child care for professionals in the field, sharing the cost of care between public funds, employers, and parents, and providing on-site or near-site child care programs. Other ideas include using tax revenue from oil and gas to help pay for child care, incentivizing developers to include child care space in new projects, and expanding child care options at elementary schools and community centers.
The Employers for Childcare Task Force, a nonpartisan business coalition seeking innovative solutions, is calling for policymakers to study models that address fundamental challenges with the current child care system. Making child care more accessible and affordable is crucial for Texas to remain a destination for growing businesses. Ultimately, the focus should be on improving the well-being of children, who are the future workforce of Texas.
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