Access to childcare is an economic equity and workforce development issue. Unfortunately, barriers exist that keep many families from accessing this critical tool. We are working to change that.

When families experience barriers to childcare, either because it’s too costly or because it’s simply not available, women are likely to drop out of the workforce since they typically are paid less than men. COVID-19 has illuminated how challenging it is for parents to fully participate in the workforce when access to childcare is compromised.

National Childcare Research: The Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project

United WE was awarded $475,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for a two-year national childcare research study.

The project, titled the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, includes a state-by-state childcare licensing research study, a nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs, a commission of national leaders, and collaboration with women entrepreneurs to advocate for policy change. We will educate elected officials, policymakers, community leaders, and thought leaders about childcare barriers that are limiting women’s entrepreneurial risk-taking and advocate for policy solutions to reduce red tape in childcare licensing.

This project will help address the childcare crisis for women entrepreneurs on both sides of the childcare equation– entrepreneurial childcare providers and entrepreneurial mothers. 

The Commission on Childcare & Women’s Entrepreneurship:

This Commission is a critical component of the Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project that will generate new policy ideas in the heartland to reduce the childcare barriers that are limiting women’s entrepreneurship. The group, comprised of leaders from across the nation will:

• Share their unique perspectives and expertise to increasing access to childcare

• Help identify possible solutions to promote women’s entrepreneurship by increasing access to childcare

• Make recommendations to elected officials, business & community leaders for solutions that increase access to childcare

• Assist in efforts to elevate childcare as a critical workforce development strategy

• Learn more about the Commission’s roles and responsibilities.

Commission Members:

• Tess Adair, Ex-Officio Student, University of Scotland

• Casey Adrian, Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe's Office

• Gayatri Agnew, Wal Mart - Arkansas

• Rhian Allvin, Brynmor Holdings, LLC

• Laura Black, Entrepreneur/LCB Ventures

• Leslie Borrell, Carefully App

• Melanie Bridgeforth, Women's Foundation of Alabama

• Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation

• Shannon Cotsoradis, Buffet Early Childhood Fund

• Marica Cox Mitchell, Bainum Family Foundation

• John Dearie, Center for American Entrepreneurship

• AJ Griffin, Potts Family Foundation - Oklahoma

• Jamee Herbert, BridgeCare

• Shayna Hetzel, American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact

Midwest Childcare Research

United WE has commissioned research that illuminates important findings, implications, and policy insights as women are being disproportionately affected by the economic and societal effects of COVID-19.

The McKinsey Global Institute found that Kansas and Missouri economies stand to grow by as much as 15% by 2025 if women’s participation in the workforce increases. Read this op-ed that highlights data from our Status of Women in Kansas Report about how growing gender inequities are bad news for Kansas’ economic future.

Childcare Tax Credit Bill (Kansas HB 2237)

With the passage and signing of HB 2237 in mid-2022, all Kansas businesses can now apply to receive a state income tax credit for helping their employees cover child care costs or if the business helps provide child care itself. This program has existed since 1993, but the credit has only been available to large corporations and financial institutions for the last decade.

The changes to the tax credit took effect on July 1, 2022, and Kansas businesses can apply to deduct from their state income taxes a portion of the child care expenses they incurred – such as providing child care for employees or helping employees pay for other child care – going back to January 2021.

Childcare Working Group in Missouri

In Missouri, The Lieutenant Governor has created a Childcare Working Group to look at ways to ensure safe, quality childcare - as well as provide better opportunities for childcare workers. Here is a report that shows cost and availability of childcare seats in Missouri by county.

Utilizing data from our Missouri Town Halls Report, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe convened a key group of leaders in Jefferson City on Jan. 25, 2022, including our own Wendy Doyle, regarding childcare needs in Missouri. We thank Lt. Gov. Kehoe for delivering on his promise to move conversations forward on this very important topic.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Childcare Report Revealed

In December 2021, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Chamber of Commerce released a childcare report that included Missouri-specific data. This important data echoes our Missouri Town Hall Report findings and highlights the childcare challenges that exist for families in Missouri and across our country.

The data revealed that childcare issues cost the state more than one billion dollars annually.

Call for Stories: Access to Childcare

We are advocating for policy considerations. Do you have a personal story about access to childcare? Share your story with us using the form below.

By submitting your story, you grant United WE permission to use your information in written communications related to policy, the media and/or our social media channels.