MY TURN: Idaho's child care crisis: Rising costs force health care workers out of the workforce, impacting businesses and families
Recent findings from the Idaho Department of Labor reveal that Idaho's overall workforce is significantly affected by the escalating cost and limited accessibility of child care, with a particularly strong impact on health care workers. The financial strain and lack of child care options are forcing valued health care workers to leave their jobs, subsequently hindering health care facilities' ability to recruit and retain staff and limiting the earning potential of parents in health care roles. The United Way of North Idaho is actively working to bring attention to the child care crisis to support all local families, including those essential to our health care system, and finding long-term solutions.
Brandon Duong, an economist with the Idaho Department of Labor, highlighted the stark reality facing many families. "It's no surprise that finding support to raise a kid is expensive and is becoming even more costly in today's economy," Duong stated. "That has caused parents to take a look at the books, write it out and see that child care isn't the best option."
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