20220112-3ai: Recommendation to acknowledge child care workers as essential workers and express gratitude...throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220112-3ai: Recommendation to acknowledge child care workers as essential workers and express gratitude for their service to the Austin community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic WHEREAS, Austin's housing and property values have increased dramatically in recent years; and WHEREAS, essential workers in the childcare industry are finding it nearly impossible to live in Austin with the rapidly increasing cost of living, especially in the housing market; and WHEREAS, the displacement of these essential workers to suburban and exurban communities will have long-term, harmful impacts on childcare options in Austin; and WHEREAS, Austin has long suffered from a severe shortage of affordable, quality childcare options; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Austin’s child care industry, leading to the permanent closure of untold numbers of childcare facilities; and WHEREAS, according to a 2021 NAECY survey, in Texas, 86% of child care centers are experiencing a staffing shortage. Further, 53% of programs impacted by staffing shortages are serving fewer children; 33% have a longer waitlist; 35% are unable to open classrooms; and 20% have reduced their operating hours (https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/user- 74/naeyc_survey_statedatawithquotes_sep2021.pdf); and WHEREAS, according to the Center for Study of Child Care Employment, The poverty rate for early educators working in the childcare industry in Texas is 18.6%, nearly twice as high as for Texas workers in general (9.7%) with a median wage of $10.15 (https://cscce.berkeley.edu/workforce-index- 2020/states/texas/); and WHEREAS, a shortage of childcare options has a severe and detrimental effect on the Austin economy, with lack of access to childcare being one of the primary reasons why people delay or avoid seeking employment; and WHEREAS, a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Texas Chamber of Business and Industry, and Early Matters indicates that poor options for childcare in the State of Texas