South Dayton News

COLUMBUS –State Representatives Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) today introduced legislation aimed at addressing the child care crisis in Ohio. The proposed bill seeks to stimulate public-private partnerships to enhance access to on-site and near-site child care for both Ohio families and employers.

The legislation, which is yet to be assigned a bill number and committee, calls for the establishment of a new state grant fund and training initiatives. These initiatives are designed to assist employers in partnering with various organizations to expand affordable and quality child care options to meet the needs of the workforce. The initiative will be overseen by the Department of Children and Youth, in collaboration with JobsOhio and the Department of Development.

State Representative Andrea White emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “Our goal is to support our workforce by helping employers and community partners develop innovative, affordable, locally-tailored child care solutions in communities across Ohio.”

The proposed legislation includes the allocation of just over $10 million for Public-Private Partnership Child Care Grants. These grants aim to support employers in retrofitting or equipping on-site or near-site child care facilities, building new child care facilities, or partnering with other providers to expand child care capacity. Grants will be capped at $750,000 per recipient.

State Representative Bill Roemer highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are diligently working to create a space where families can afford child care without leaving the workforce altogether.”

The need for affordable child care solutions is pressing in Ohio, with the average cost of center-based child care for families ranging from $8,580 to $11,438 per year. This financial burden often makes returning to work unfeasible for many Ohioans. A recent survey revealed that 70 percent of working mothers would consider returning to work if child care costs were more reasonable.

The legislation is a response to recommendations from the Study Committee on Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care and Step-Up to Quality Program. The committee, co-chaired by State Representatives Andrea White and Senator Jerry Cirino, identified the lack of access to quality and affordable child care as a significant issue impacting workforce availability in Ohio.

In conclusion, the introduction of this legislation signifies a step towards addressing the child care crisis in Ohio and supporting both families and businesses in the state.