Child care challenges: A call to action

I am writing to shed light on a pressing issue that affects countless families in our community: the lack of accessible and affordable child care.

As a parent and an educator, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by working parents who rely on child care programs to enable them to pursue their careers and contribute to our economy.

In Iowa, the consequences of inadequate child care options are staggering. Our economy suffers a loss of approximately one billion dollars annually due to reduced wages, diminished productivity and lower tax revenues — all stemming from the absence of accessible child care.

This isn't just a matter of convenience; it's a fundamental issue that undermines the health of our economy.

Without a robust child care workforce, the entire labor force is negatively impacted. As an instructional coach and teacher, I see firsthand the essential role that child care plays in enabling parents to work in vital professions like education.

If we want to maintain a thriving economy and ensure the continued growth of our community, we must prioritize investments in the child care sector.

Recently, advocates across the state and country participated in "A Day Without Child Care," underscoring the critical importance of this issue.

Imagine our community without access to child care — families would struggle to balance work and caregiving responsibilities, employers would face challenges retaining talent and businesses would feel the ripple effects of decreased productivity.

We have an opportunity, and indeed a responsibility, to urge our state legislators to prioritize investment in child care. By allocating state revenue to support the child care sector, we can promote the well-being of our children, support working families, and foster stronger communities.

I am committed to advocating for child care, and I urge our fellow community members to join me in this important endeavor. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every family has access to the high-quality child care they need.

Carrie Dolmage, Victor