Research, Listening Session Point to Lack of Healthcare Benefits as Barrier to Childcare Workforce Recruitment and Retention
KANSAS CITY, MO – December 15, 2022 – Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe, United WE and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry today held a press conference to spotlight issues related to the childcare workforce crisis and resources that can help, such as the Chamber Benefit Plan, a healthcare insurance opportunity for some childcare providers.
Research jointly released last year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Missouri Chamber — and in partnership with United WE — revealed that childcare challenges are costing Missouri an estimated $1.35 billion annually for the state’s economy.
In addition, United WE’s Status of Women Report along with town hall meetings across the state, pointed to lack of quality childcare as a major barrier for women to enter or re-enter the workforce. The report also found that since COVID, more than 400 childcare providers in Missouri have closed with no plans to reopen, exacerbating what was already a supply and demand issue.
In response to these data, and at the request of Lieutenant Governor Kehoe, United WE partnered with the Missouri Department of Early and Secondary Education to facilitate a listening session with employers, childcare providers, insurance providers, and policy experts to better understand the childcare workforce development challenges. The listening session revealed that one of the greatest barriers to recruitment and retention of the childcare workforce is affordable healthcare benefits.
“Without a workforce to care for our children, we can never fully address this crisis,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “We’re here to raise awareness of how the childcare crisis is impacting women and our economy, to continue the conversation of how to keep removing barriers, and to make sure people are aware of some resources available.”
“When it comes to being able to attract and retain a childcare workforce, benefits like health insurance are really important,” said Daniel Mehan, President and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “One of the ways we can help is by getting out the word on resources that are currently available to childcare providers, like the Chamber Benefit Plan. The Chamber Benefit Plan gathers thousands of Missouri’s small employers in one purchasing group, thereby driving down costs.”
“It will take partnerships and practical solutions to solve Missouri’s childcare crisis. Our office is committed to continue working with United WE, the Missouri Chamber, and our partners to assist childcare providers,” said Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe. “The Chamber Benefit Plan is another tool for childcare providers to recruit and retain a quality workforce, ultimately helping Missouri reach its full economic potential.”
The Missouri Chamber offers the Chamber Benefit Plan for small group employers in Missouri who are members of a qualifying chamber of commerce and have 2 to 50 eligible employees. The Chamber Benefit Plan offers one possible solution for childcare providers and is just a first step for identifying solutions amid the childcare crisis. To learn more about the Chamber Benefit Plan, visit chamberbenefitplan.com.
About United WE
United Women’s Empowerment, or United WE, is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. Since 1991, United WE has overcome systemic barriers to women’s economic development and civic leadership by investing in research, advocacy, and policy solutions. We have conducted 24 meaningful research studies, advocated for issues resulting in 55 policy actions, and supported more than 185+ civic appointments. Our work positively impacts hundreds of thousands of women and families by commissioning transformative research, scaling our fast-growing Appointments Project®, advocating for reforms that honor the legacies of women, and contributing to policy solutions that advance equal pay, paid family leave, affordable childcare and occupational licensing; and aid in fighting against sexual harassment. Unite with us. Visit www.united-we.org and connect with @UnitedWeEmpower on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
About Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the largest business association in Missouri. Together with the Missouri Chamber Federation, the Missouri Chamber represents more than 75,000 employers. To learn more, go to www.mochamber.com.
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