Child Care Deserts in Oregon: Understanding the Crisis and How You Can Help
October 3rd, 2024
What Are Child Care Deserts?
Child care deserts are areas where the demand for child care greatly exceeds the available supply. Specifically, these are communities with more than three children for every regulated child care slot. In Oregon, this issue is pervasive, with all 36 counties classified as child care deserts for infants and toddlers, and 27 of 36 counties for preschool-aged children. This shortage affects both urban and rural areas, although the challenges can differ significantly. Urban areas may have longer waiting lists, while rural areas might lack any nearby child care options.
To shed the child care desert status, Oregon would need to add approximately 31,000 new child care slots. However, solving this crisis isn’t just about numbers. These new slots need to be supported by a diverse, qualified, and well-compensated workforce, have adequate facility space, meet the cultural and developmental needs of families, and remain affordable.
Impact on Oregon Families
The shortage of child care in Oregon has far-reaching consequences for families and communities:
Economic Strain on Families: The high cost of child care, often exceeding $14,000 annually per child, forces many families to make difficult financial decisions. This can lead to sacrifices in essential areas such as housing, health care, and education.
Limited Workforce Participation: Many parents, especially women, struggle to maintain employment due to the lack of affordable and accessible child care. Without reliable care, parents may reduce working hours or leave the workforce entirely, impacting both family income and broader economic productivity.
Developmental Impacts on Children: Limited access to quality child care can hinder a child’s early development, affecting long-term educational and social outcomes. Quality early childhood education is critical for cognitive and social skill development, and children in child care deserts miss out on these foundational experiences.
Impact on Oregon Employers
The child care crisis isn’t just a family issue—it has significant implications for businesses too:
Workforce Retention and Productivity: Employers face higher turnover rates as parents struggle to maintain employment due to child care challenges. When employees can’t access reliable care, they are more likely to miss work, arrive late, or leave jobs entirely.
Reduced Talent Pool: Limited child care options shrink the pool of available talent, especially among women and caregivers who are more likely to leave or limit their participation in the workforce.
Increased Costs: Employers may see increased recruitment and training costs as they constantly replace employees lost due to child care challenges. Supporting child care solutions can be a proactive investment in workforce stability.
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) play a critical role in addressing Oregon’s child care crisis. Oregon’s 15 regional CCR&R programs, funded by the Department of Early Learning and Care, provide essential support to both home- and center-based care programs. They help recruit, retain, and support a diverse early childhood education (ECE) workforce, working with over 3,000 educators and 1,800 programs across the state. Here’s how CCR&Rs support high-quality early learning and care:
Coaching: CCR&Rs help ECE professionals navigate the early learning system, access financial support, and develop individualized professional growth plans.
Provider Networks: They build community connections, offering early educators peer support and shared learning opportunities.
Fast Track Trainings: These one-day sessions rapidly prepare individuals for early childhood education careers, addressing workforce shortages and connecting participants with local job opportunities.
Early Child Care Business Accelerators: These accelerators guide providers through the licensing, marketing, financial, and administrative aspects of running in-home child care businesses.
Registered Apprenticeships: A Department of Labor-certified program combining paid work experience with formal ECE coursework, leading to a nationally recognized credential.
How You Can Help
Addressing Oregon’s child care crisis requires a multi-faceted approach involving individuals, communities, policymakers, and employers. Here are ways each group can take action:
Individuals
Interested in Joining the Field? Reach out to your local CCR&R agency to learn about opportunities in your area, whether you’re looking to become an assistant, teacher, or director, or start your own program.
Volunteer Your Time and Resources: Local child care centers can always use help. Volunteer for administrative tasks, facility maintenance, or donate educational materials and toys. Your contribution can ease the operational burden on providers.
Communities
Support Local Providers: Advocate for reduced regulatory burdens and increased financial support for child care centers. Get involved in community meetings or help provide resources through grants, sponsorships, or partnerships with local businesses.
Raise Awareness: Use social media or local platforms to highlight the child care crisis. Share stories, statistics, and resources to rally support for child care initiatives.
Create or Expand Child Care Facilities: If you have the means, consider opening a child care center or expanding existing ones. Work with local businesses, schools, or religious organizations to provide more spaces for child care centers.
Policymakers
Advocate for Policy Changes: Support legislation aimed at increasing funding for child care programs and making care more affordable. Recent efforts, like House Bill 3073, seek to cap family contributions at 7% of their income.
Support Educational Pathways for Child Care Workers: Encourage the creation of scholarship and loan forgiveness programs that help train the next generation of child care providers.
Employers
Invest in Child Care Solutions: Consider partnerships with local child care providers or offering child care benefits to employees. Supporting your workforce in this way can improve retention and productivity.
Offer Flexible Work Options: Allow remote work or flexible hours for employees with young children. Providing work-life balance solutions can be a key factor in retaining talent.
Conclusion
Oregon’s child care desert crisis is urgent, but with collective action, it can be addressed. From legislative advocacy to community support, every effort counts in ensuring all children have access to quality care. You can be part of the solution—help us bridge the gap, so every child in Oregon has a chance to thrive.
