Initiatives to lead efforts that propel United States to next generation of childcare policy solutions
As part of the National Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, United WE today announces a childcare commission of national leaders and a nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs.
The United WE National Commission on Childcare and Women’s Entrepreneurship is a critical component of the National Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, an effort funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, that will generate new policy ideas in the heartland to reduce the childcare barriers limiting women’s entrepreneurship. The Commission will convene in Kansas City, Missouri on November 1-2, 2023, to assist United WE in advancing research and policy solutions to the childcare barriers that are limiting women’s entrepreneurial risk-taking on both sides of the childcare equation – entrepreneurial childcare providers and entrepreneurial mothers.
“Access to childcare is a cascading crisis - a situation that was at its breaking point before the pandemic and loosely held together with pandemic-era relief funding,” said Wendy Doyle, United WE President and CEO. “Now that critical childcare funding has expired and sent America over a “childcare cliff,” the potential effects could be disastrous for families, the economy and especially women.”
A nationwide survey is being conducted to better understand the childcare needs and barriers for mothers who are entrepreneurs in a post COVID-19 environment. Preliminary survey findings will be compiled for a full release in 2024.
In 2022, United WE was granted $475,000 from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for a two-year national childcare research study. In addition to the Commission of national leaders and nationwide survey of mothers who are entrepreneurs, the project includes a state-by-state childcare licensing research study as part of the United WE Institute, a mid-year Commission report in 2024 and collaboration with women entrepreneurs to advocate for policy change.
“Childcare infrastructure is critical in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in our communities,” said DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President and CEO, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. “The existing barriers limit women’s entrepreneurial risk-taking ability, which ultimately affects us all. By collaborating with United WE and the National Women’s Entrepreneur Childcare Project, we can amplify the voices of those most affected, raise awareness about the existing barriers, and develop more effective policy solutions."
The nonpartisan Commission will generate new policy ideas about childcare barriers that are limiting women’s entrepreneurial risk taking. The Commission is comprised of leaders from across the nation, including:
Tess Adair, University of Scotland
Casey Adrian, Office of MO Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe
Gayatri Agnew, Walmart
Rhian Allvin, Brynmor Holdings, LLC
Laura Black, LCB Ventures
Leslie Borrell, Carefully
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
Jamee Herbert, BridgeCare
Shayna Hetzel, American Family Insurance
Jennifer Kelly, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Missy Love, Biostar Renewables
Aaron Merchen, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Center for Education and Workforce
Jeanne Olofson, Ex-Officio
Elle Patout, National Association of Women Business Owners
Emma Pengelly, Ingeborg Initiatives
Erica Phillips, National Association for Family Child Care
Tonja Rucker, National League of Cities
Leslie Lynn Smith, Themis Strategic Partners
Helene Stebbins, Alliance for Early Success
Louise Stoney, Opportunities Exchange
Julie Trivitt, Heartland Forward
Sheldon Weisgrau, Missouri Foundation for Health
Learn more about how United WE is creating meaningful change for all women at www.united-we.org.