Blanco Public Policy Center examines economics of child care

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The at the 青青草视频 examines the economics of early care and education in its most recent public policy brief.

鈥淏lanco Center Policy Briefs鈥 provide high-level summaries of issues relevant to policy makers and voters in Louisiana.

Evidence-based data and research in the 鈥淐hild Care and the Economy鈥 policy brief focuses on the impact of early care and education on the state鈥檚 workforce and businesses.

In 2020, more than 125,000 children in Louisiana received early care, which costs an average of $8,580 yearly. While that amount is lower than the national average of $11,896, it鈥檚 鈥渘evertheless an expense many families in Louisiana 鈥 especially working families 鈥 struggle to afford,鈥 said Dr. Stephen Barnes, Blanco Public Policy Center director.

鈥淲hen parents must miss work to care for their children, the resulting productivity and income losses, decreased purchasing power, job turnover and other factors create a profound ripple effect. The economic impact extends far beyond one family or one employer,鈥 Barnes said.

According to 鈥淐hild Care and the Economy,鈥 Louisiana businesses lose a collective $762 million each year as a result of workers staying home to care for children. Overall, the hit to the state鈥檚 economy is $1.3 billion.

Dr. Libbie Sonnier, Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director, said such findings underscore 鈥渢he critical need for increased access to early care and education across Louisiana.鈥

鈥淎bout 78% of working families have difficulty finding quality, affordable child care without assistance. As a state, we must prioritize funding mechanisms that make early care and education accessible for our working families,鈥 Sonnier said.

Troy Wayman, One Acadiana president and CEO, said altered school schedules, job losses and child care facility closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated 鈥渁n already strong need to invest in high-quality child care.鈥

鈥淚t鈥檚 an investment that will help parents return to work, and economic recovery relies on people鈥檚 ability to go back to work,鈥 Wayman said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also an investment that will pay long-term dividends in the state鈥檚 workforce,鈥 he added.

According to research in the brief, children who receive high-quality early care and education have better math and reading skills, a greater chance of graduating from high school and, ultimately, earn higher salaries.

鈥淐hild Care and the Economy鈥 was developed as part of a collaboration with the . The brief updates research that the institute conducted with LSU鈥檚 Public Policy Research Lab and Entergy in 2017.

鈥淐hild Care and the Economy鈥 follows the Blanco Center鈥檚 recent 鈥淔unding Infrastructure in Louisiana鈥 brief, which details the long-term economic impact of investment in the state鈥檚 highways, roads and bridges.

Photo caption: Early care and education is the focus of the most recent public policy brief from the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the 青青草视频. Photo credit: Doug Dugas / 青青草视频

 

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