Madam Chair, Members of the Committee:
My name is Wendy Doyle, the President and CEO of United WE, and I’m here to support House Bill 870, as a step forward in the work to increase Missouri families’ access to childcare. As you may recall, the mission of United WE is to advance all women’s economic and civic leadership. When we talk about barriers to women’s economic and civic leadership, childcare is one of those issues that is multifaceted in its impact and transcends both of our focus areas.
United WE is proud to present nonpartisan quantitative and qualitative research that policymakers, like yourselves, can draw upon when making public policy. To that end, the Status of Women in Missouri tells us that Missouri families struggled to find affordable childcare long before COVID. However, the pandemic created what many call a “cascading crisis” when it comes to childcare. According to our research, 14% of the state’s labor force have children under age six, making the ability to access childcare a necessity for working families. We also know that childcare is a significant expense for many families, averaging 12% of a married couple’s income. Single parents in Missouri on average spend 40% of their income on center-based infant care and married couples at the poverty line spend an average of 67% of their income on center-based care.
Additionally, during our 2021 town halls across Missouri, we heard from women of all backgrounds about their childcare struggles. The stories we heard told a bleak story:
• The supply of childcare providers does not meet demand.
• Staff shortages occur because of barriers for workers, who must have a certificate or specialized degree and are often paid low wages.
• Accredited childcare facilities in rural areas don’t accommodate non-traditional work hours, some even close before the end of the typical workday.
• Social norms often dictate that women take on the responsibility for planning or providing childcare.
• State funding for childcare providers is unpredictable and can cause providers to close or reduce services unexpectedly.
We understand that fully addressing the childcare crisis will take a variety of solutions. However, the Childcare Contribution Tax Credit is a meaningful step forward. This legislation addresses many factors within the childcare landscape, including the cost of care, workforce and entrepreneurship challenges, and bricks and mortar costs.
Thank you for your time and attention to this issue. Feel free to contact me if I can provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
Wendy D. Doyle
President and CEO
United WE