Testimony on Kansas Senate Bill #229

Testimony re: SB 229
Senate Commerce Committee
February 12th, 2025

Mr. Chairman Alley, Vice Chair Owens, Ranking Member Ware and Members of the Committee:

I’m pleased to join you today to discuss occupational licensing reform and why it matters so much to the women of Kansas. You may recall from previous sessions the mission of United WE is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Our quantitative and qualitative research tell us loud and clear that Kansas women cannot reach their economic potential when unnecessary regulations stand in their way.

Senate Bill 229 represents an opportunity to join 14 other states that have a review process for occupational licensing requirements. By promoting transparency and informed decision-making, we aim to facilitate individuals' pursuit of their chosen professions without unnecessary government intervention.

Our Status of Women in Kansas research report told us several hard truths:

• Women in Kansas earn a median salary of $38,116, compared to $49,140 for men—an $11,000 gap.

• Women dominate in caring professions, which pay significantly less than technical and managerial roles.

• Kansas has the largest male-female self-employment gap in the country, with 11.1% of men self-employed versus only 7.1% of women.

Further, women are 6.5% more likely than men to hold certifications or licenses. For this reason, United WE prioritizes removing barriers for women governed by occupational licensing boards. Research by the McKinsey Global Institute projects that fully engaging women in the Kansas workforce could grow our state economy by 10-15% by 2025.

Senate Bill 229 constitutes the right approach for Kansans. It creates a process for sunsetting outdated occupational licensing requirements, preventing duplicative boards, and ensuring new requirements are efficient and necessary.

Consider this example: Kansas salon owners offering spray tanning services are not required to hold a state license, as spray tanning poses no public health risk. This regulatory balance allows entrepreneurs to expand their services while protecting public welfare. Similarly, pet groomers in Kansas are not currently required to hold a state license. This enables professionals in this growing industry to focus on providing essential services to pet owners without being burdened by unnecessary regulation. These examples showcase how the right balance between entrepreneurial opportunity and public welfare can drive economic growth and job creation across our state.

Our research is clear: occupational licensing reform is essential for unlocking women’s full economic potential and fostering entrepreneurship. We stand ready to support policymakers in advancing common sense solutions that move our state forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if we can assist your deliberations. Thank you for the opportunity to share United WE’s perspective on this important issue for the state’s workforce. 

Sincerely,

Wendy D. Doyle
President & CEO
United WE

United WE Welcomes Micaela Brokaw as Chief Development Officer

KANSAS CITY, MO – January 30, 2025 – United WE is proud to announce philanthropic leader and seasoned development professional Micaela Brokaw has joined its team as Chief Development Officer. As United WE continues to expand its national footprint, Micaela will lead the organization’s strategic fundraising efforts, working closely with President & CEO Wendy Doyle and the rest of the leadership team to enhance the organization's impact through effective resource mobilization.

With her extensive background in philanthropy at national and international non-profit organizations, Micaela will cultivate and manage relationships with current and prospective donors, develop innovative fundraising strategies, and oversee projects that drive financial support for United WE’s mission and initiatives. 

"Fundraising and development play an essential role for United WE as we continue to further our mission of advancing all women’s economic participation and civic leadership while increasing our national reach,” said President & CEO Wendy Doyle. “Micaela’s expertise will help ensure we have the resources needed to drive our key initiatives forward and ultimately make a significant impact on the economy at a local and national level."

Prior to joining United WE, Micaela served as Senior Manager of Global Philanthropy at Compassion International, where she cultivated relationships with donors and developed industry-leading strategies serving donors at all levels of giving. Her years of experience with nonprofit organizations, including her role as Development Officer at Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have equipped her to guide United WE through its next chapter.

“Throughout my career, I've had a front-row seat to the economic impact of women in the marketplace, board room, and public service. Opportunities for women are catalytic to economic growth,” said Micaela. “I'm excited to help cement United WE’s place as the leading institute for research and policy advancing women's civic and economic leadership. As a leader and a mom to three I've experienced first-hand the barriers women face while making meaningful contributions to their families, communities, and world. Removing these barriers improves the future for everyone.”

With the addition of Micaela to the leadership team, the organization is well-positioned to further its mission and drive impactful change through research, solutions, and results that address the key issues facing women today.

Press Release: United WE Applauds Governor Kehoe’s Leadership in Addressing Missouri’s Childcare Crisis

KANSAS CITY, MO – United WE commends Governor Mike Kehoe for his leadership in prioritizing solutions to Missouri’s childcare crisis in his 2025 State of the State Address. His focus on reducing licensing barriers and expanding access to quality childcare is a critical step toward supporting families, business owners, and the broader workforce.

“We are grateful to Governor Kehoe for recognizing the direct link between childcare and workforce participation, especially for women who are balancing career and caregiving responsibilities,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “At United WE, we have long advocated for solutions that unite policymakers across the political spectrum and focus on practical, research-driven solutions that economically empower women. By addressing regulatory barriers, including streamlining the complex licensing process, and making childcare more accessible, we can strengthen Missouri’s economy, support businesses in workforce recruitment and retention, and empower families to thrive.”

United WE remains dedicated to driving impactful change and fostering collaboration across sectors to address Missouri’s childcare crisis. Together, we can build a childcare system that benefits businesses, families, and the workforce at large. Learn more about United WE’s research on childcare here.

Press Release: United WE Releases Kansas Childcare Licensing Research Revealing Vulnerabilities and Limited Access to Childcare

KANSAS CITY, MO  – December 12, 2024 – A new state of Kansas research study, commissioned by United WE and conducted by the Institute for Policy & Social Research and the Kansas Population Center at the University of Kansas, reveals half of Kansas counties have more children under age five than licensed childcare slots available, indicating the demand for licensed childcare is greater than the current supply. Many counties cannot meet community needs for licensed childcare and when licensed care is available, the cost is often prohibitive.

While licensing requirements are intended to promote safety, without additional supports for providers and families they can also increase the costs associated with childcare. Childcare regulations that require high staff to child ratios, smaller group sizes, and higher levels of education and training may price parents out of the market or decrease childcare worker wages, making it even more challenging for providers to find and retain staff.

“When childcare is non-existent, unaffordable, or unsafe, parents are unable to work, which stifles economic development and is detrimental to Kansas families. By identifying barriers in the licensing process, we’re advocating for strategies that support childcare providers and address childcare gaps to ensure all Kansans have access to high-quality, affordable childcare,” says Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE, a nonpartisan organization with a mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership.

The research report provides recommendations intended to balance the economic realities facing families and the childcare workforce with foundational health and safety practices that support child growth and development. 

1. Fund innovative grants in the state to improve efficiency while maintaining quality of care.

2. Develop a statewide helpline for providers to stay connected with state regulators and improve accountability within communities.

3. Allocate permanent funding for childcare licensing fees and workforce supports.

4. Provide specific financial support to increase infant care slots in licensed childcare to reduce bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the market.

5. Conduct rigorous data and evaluations of childcare licensing to guide data-driven policy decisions on childcare licensing and related policies.

6. Convene the Child Care Systems Improvement Team (CC-SIT) in Kansas to standardize childcare licensing processes and fees across the state.

7. Streamline required fingerprinting processes statewide to increase access during evenings and on weekends.

“Childcare businesses in the industry walk a tightrope between business expenses essential to protecting health and safety and keeping costs feasible for parents, often only earning razor-thin profits,” said Misty Heggeness, associate scientist in the Institute for Policy and Social Research and associate professor of economics and public affairs at the University of Kansas. “The intended outcome of the recommendations is to balance the economic realities facing families and the childcare workforce with foundational health and safety practices that support child growth and development.”

The full Kansas Childcare Licensing research study is available here as part of the United WE Institute. 

As part of United WE’s Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, the organization also released national state-by-state childcare licensing research to provide a high-level overview of state-level licensing regulations and recommendations for policy changes. The nationwide research is available as part of the Institute here.  

Press Release: United WE Releases Missouri Childcare Licensing Research Revealing Process Improvements Could Increase Statewide Access to Childcare

KANSAS CITY, MO  – November 20, 2024 – A new state of Missouri research study, commissioned by United WE and conducted by researchers from the Institute of Public Policy at the University of Missouri, reveals childcare provider licensing can be time-consuming, costly and the required regulatory processes are hampered by facilities’ staffing shortages and turnover. These barriers come at a time when there are nearly three times as many Missouri children, aged six or under, than childcare slots.

Access to reliable, quality childcare has long been a concern for working parents across the nation and has become more problematic since the COVID-19 pandemic. Of Missouri families with children, 291,530 children (71%) have employed parents. Despite the number of working families in the state that need childcare, 85% of Missouri counties have more than three children under the age of six per licensed child care slot, which by definition classifies them as being in a childcare desert.*

“With our children’s health and safety at the forefront, we believe licensing challenges are creating barriers for providers to address the significant need for more quality childcare in the state of Missouri. We know from previous focus groups we’ve conducted with childcare providers that they’re struggling to stay open, meet state and federal licensing requirements and pay a living wage,” says Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE, a nonpartisan organization with a mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. “This critical research identifies legislative efficiencies that will ensure Missouri can help resolve the current childcare crisis and harness the full potential of women in the workforce to drive economic growth and prosperity for the entire state.”

Based on interviews with state childcare licensing staff and childcare providers, the most time-consuming and costly regulations for providers to implement during the initial licensing process are those that require renovations, such as Missouri fire and sanitation requirements. Providers are responsible for contacting local authorities about additional county- or municipal-level regulations, which are not uniformly available via city/county websites or phone calls to local officials.

“This research describes the childcare licensing process at the state and local level and examines whether there are characteristics of the licensing process that make opening a new childcare program or continuing to operate a licensed program overly burdensome,” says Emily Johnson, Associate Director of Operations at University of Missouri’s Institute of Public Policy. “Adequate childcare resources are an investment in the well-being of Missouri families and the intent of this research is to highlight the childcare gaps that can ultimately address challenges with childcare licensing for the economic strength of the state.”

Researchers provided policy and practice recommendations which include:  

Community

• Local mentoring networks to support childcare entrepreneurs during the initial licensing process

• Regional and local communication channels for childcare providers during the initial licensing process

• Online resources for providers to easily access local licensing requirements

Legislative

• Explore legislative actions to replace discontinued ARPA funding to childcare

• Create a pre-licensing requirement of participation in programs such as the Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) training as part of the initial licensing process

Administrative

• Develop a specialized team of Inspectors to focus on guiding providers through the initial licensing process

• Establish a task force to examine administrative burden (for both providers and licensing staff) embedded in the licensing process and make recommendations

• Adopt a centralized child care program management system to simplify and streamline business operations and paperwork

The full Missouri Childcare Licensing research study is the United WE Institute’s 36th research study and is available here. 

As part of United WE’s Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, the organization also released national state-by-state childcare licensing research to provide a high-level overview of state-level licensing regulations and recommendations for policy changes. The nationwide research is available as part of the Institute here.  

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*Malik, R., Hamm, K., and Adamu, M. (2016, October). Child care deserts: An analysis of child care centers by ZIP code in 8 states. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/child-care-deserts/

Press Release: United WE Releases Childcare Licensing Research Revealing Significant Opportunities for Oklahoma Childcare To Meet Demand

KANSAS CITY, MO  – November 12, 2024 – A new state of Oklahoma research study, commissioned by United WE and conducted by researchers from the College of Education and Human Sciences and the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University, illustrates that there are many more children in Oklahoma than there are spots in licensed facilities, and the supply is not evenly distributed.

There are over 3,000 licensed facilities in Oklahoma. In almost all counties, the number of available slots does not meet the demand, which shows there is a pressing need for additional childcare capacity. 

“Focusing on adequate childcare resources is an investment in the well-being of Oklahoma families and ensures Oklahoma harnesses the full potential of women in the workforce to drive economic growth and prosperity for the entire state,” says Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE, a nonpartisan organization with a mission to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. “In partnership with the research funders and legislators, our goal is to inform policymakers, educators and the public about the childcare gaps and to collaborate with partners to advocate for strategies to address challenges with childcare licensing.” 

The research investigates the current state of Oklahoma childcare that serves children prior to Kindergarten, specifically examining the number of facilities and the existing barriers at the city, county, and state levels. Findings reveal there is much variation in municipal, city, and county regulations for licenses/permits, zoning and health and safety across Oklahoma.

Based on quantitative and qualitative data collected, key recommendations include, 

• State-level efforts to incentivize the establishment of new childcare facilities 

• Streamline licensing processes for new licenses and incorporate a coaching or mentorship program

• Expand ongoing financial support and incentives that support childcare providers 

• Improve communication and support for providers 

• Reevaluate and simplify regulatory requirements

• Examine variability in municipal/city/county regulations for zoning, health, safety, and business licenses/permits

• Enhance workforce stability for childcare providers 

“Our recommendations underscore the importance of collaborative efforts between state agencies, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for childcare challenges,” says Adrienne Redmond-Sanogo, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Oklahoma State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences.

Accessible, affordable, and quality childcare is critical for young children’s development and for their parents’ ability to work outside the home. Many Oklahoma parents have difficulty identifying suitable childcare options for their children, especially before children enter Kindergarten. Women, who often bear the primary responsibility for childcare and household duties, are essential contributors to the Oklahoma economy.

“As we move forward, OSU’s commitment to outreach and engagement can facilitate the implementation of these recommendations, ensuring that research findings translate into tangible benefits for Oklahoma’s children and families,” says Evan Davis, Associate Professor of Professional Practice at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business.

The Oklahoma Childcare Licensing research is the United WE Institute’s 35th research study and is available here. In 2022, United WE partnered with OSU’s Spears School of Business on a Status of Women in Oklahoma research report that examines women’s economic status in the state.

As part of United WE’s Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, the organization also released national state-by-state childcare licensing research to provide a high-level overview of state-level licensing regulations and recommendations for policy changes. The nationwide research is available as part of the Institute here.  

Let’s Unite to Create Systemic Change and a Better Future for All

Thank you for exercising your right to vote. Let’s continue to treat each other with civility and respect, and unite to create systemic change and a better future for all.

One of United WE’s core values is non-partisanship. As an organization dedicated to advancing all women’s economic and civic leadership, we are encouraged to see issues like childcare, paid family leave, and entrepreneurship elevated as priorities to advance America’s economy forward.

“Advocating for women to lead is central to the work we do every day at United WE,”
said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “We work to unite people around
research, solutions, and results to advance economic opportunities for all women and
their families.”

United WE conducts evidenced-based research on topics including childcare,
occupational licensing, entrepreneurship, paid family leave, civic engagement, and pay
equity. Based on research findings, we develop solutions like policy change and the
Appointments Project®. We have seen policy change remove economic barriers for
women and their families and the Appointments Project® result in the appointments of over 200 women.

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LET’S UNITE AND GET TO WORK

Three things to do:
1. Sign up to learn more about the Appointments Project®. One of United WE’s main initiatives to get more women at the civic decision-making table is the Appointments Project®. Through the program, we empower women to serve on civic boards and commissions, where they have the power to make policy decisions that affect our day-to-day lives. 

2. Share United WE’s research. Through the United WE Institute; we continue to conduct groundbreaking research on women related to their economic security and mobility. This research leads to policy. Policy leads to advocacy. And advocacy leads to systemic change. 

3. Donate to the Change Can’t Wait Campaign. This campaign accelerates the opportunity to help women achieve their full economic and civic potential. The funding will enable us to drive forward innovative research to support women’s full participation in the workforce. It will also allow us to share research findings with local, regional, and state policymakers and expand our successful programming to advance civic leadership.

United WE Welcomes Sarah Smith as Chief Operating Officer

KANSAS CITY, MO – October 21, 2024 – United WE is proud to announce strategic organizational leader and innovative operations professional Sarah Smith has joined its team as Chief Operating Officer. As United WE continues to expand its regional and national footprint, Sarah will enhance the organization’s internal processes to ensure operational excellence, working closely with President & CEO Wendy Doyle and the rest of the leadership team to enhance the organization's efficiency.

With her extensive background in nonprofit operations and strategic planning, Sarah will cultivate and manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and contractors. She will also collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute plans for operational infrastructure, process improvements, and team development.  

"We are at a critical juncture in our work to achieve economic and civic leadership for women , and efficient operations are key to ensuring the organization can continue to drive meaningful change,” said President & CEO Wendy Doyle. “Sarah will be essential to ensuring we have the resources we need to empower more women through research, policy, and leadership initiatives."

Prior to joining United WE, Sarah served as Vice President of Learning and Foundation Operations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation where she led learning, evaluation, financial management, and operational excellence initiatives. During her tenure, she oversaw strategic planning processes, managed cross-functional teams, and implemented initiatives that improved financial and operational systems. She also developed a comprehensive learning and evaluation framework to measure the foundation's impact and influence its strategic direction. Her years of experience in nonprofit leadership, including roles at the Missouri Foundation for Health, has uniquely prepared her to guide United WE through its next chapter.

With the addition of Sarah to the leadership team, the organization is well-positioned to expand its Appointments Project®, which has helped more than 200 women secure appointments to civic boards and commissions, and further United WE’s research and policy reforms that address the key issues facing women today.

“United WE’s strong mission, emphasis on research, and compelling narrative were what initially drew me to this role, and after meeting the team and seeing firsthand the collaborative nature of this work, I am even more excited about the opportunity,” said Sarah. “I look forward to working closely with Wendy and the entire team to advance the impactful work that United WE is known for. I’m eager to contribute to the mission and help drive systems-level change for women’s economic and civic leadership.”

United WE Launches Kansas City Transformation Journey Groups to Empower Women Civic Leaders

Program to Support Diverse Women in Identifying and Taking Next Steps In Civic Leadership Journeys

KANSAS CITY, MO – August 1, 2024 – United WE today announces the Kansas City Transformation Journey Groups, a new offering under the Appointments Project® generously funded by the Health Forward Foundation and supported by Oracle. Under this program, United WE will bring diverse women together to explore service on appointed boards and commissions. 

The journey groups will convene Black, Latina, and rural women in the Kansas City region. Journey group programming will ensure women are equipped with the knowledge to confidently navigate the appointments process and serve effectively in a civic leadership position. These groups will also support participants in building a community of women with similar lived experiences and exploring the intersection of identity and civic engagement.

“United WE works to ensure all women are represented on local boards, not only as a matter of equality but also as a means to improve the quality and efficacy of decision-making,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “United WE supports women in launching their civic leadership journey and I’m delighted we are able to convene this type of experience for many diverse women in the Kansas City area.”

Kicking off in September 2024, the three journey groups will meet monthly through January 2025. A celebration event will be held in February 2025 and include participants from all journey groups.

“Health Forward Foundation supports and builds inclusive, powerful and healthy communities in the Kansas City region, and United WE’s journey groups will further mobilize women in our service area to learn and engage in civic leadership opportunities,” said McClain Bryant Macklin, VP of Policy and Impact at Health Forward Foundation. “We are proud to fund the journey groups to increase women’s civic leadership participation and engagement to advance their economic potential and achieve gender and racial equity.”

An Advisory Board was established to ensure the program meets the needs and expectations of diverse women and aligns with the overarching goals for the Appointments Project. Journey group applications are available now and will close on August 29, 2024 or when groups have reached capacity. Black, Latina and rural women in the Kansas City region interested in the program are encouraged to apply at www.united-we.org/apjourney.    

The United WE National Commission On Childcare And Women’s Entrepreneurship Announces Its Statement Of Principles At Kauffman Foundation’s “Takes Heart” Event

KANSAS CITY, MO – June 25, 2024 – The United WE National Commission on Childcare and Women’s Entrepreneurship today announced its Statement of Principles to guide its mission in sparking new evidence-based practices and policies to assist more entrepreneurial women in finding diverse childcare solutions to fully participate in the dynamic U.S. economy. 

The Statement of Principles were revealed at the “Takes Heart: A Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs” event held at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The exclusive event focused on celebrating women entrepreneurs and featured an interactive 5-foot tall heart located outside the Kauffman Foundation as part of Kansas City’s Parade of Hearts. 

“For women entrepreneurs who need expanded childcare support to help them achieve   greater business success, current childcare solutions are not cutting it,” says Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “The United WE National Commission on Childcare and Women’s Entrepreneurship, funded by a Kauffman Foundation grant, is engaging a broader coalition of audiences — other than traditional childcare stakeholders — who are not typically part of the conversation but their voices and support are needed to help solve America’s childcare crisis.” 

The Commission of national leaders is one element of a Kauffman Foundation grant that also included a state-by-state childcare licensing research report and a recent nationwide survey of women entrepreneurs and their childcare needs.

The Commission’s Statement of Principles includes the following key recommendations:

• accommodate supply-side (e.g., operational grants and targeted tax credits for teachers and program operators) and demand-side (e.g., vouchers for families) public support. 

• compensate the childcare workforce sufficiently so that early educators flourish and the quality of childcare programs improves. 

• include robust, real-time data on childcare supply and demand so that policymakers can accurately plan for, and fund, services for the age groups and locations where gaps are most significant, and families can easily identify available spaces, reserve, and enroll in childcare sites online.

Learn more about United WE’s work to create meaningful change for all women and read the Commission’s full Statement of Principles here.