Access to high-quality affordable childcare remains one of the top priorities for employers and working families across the Lone Star State. That’s why the Texas Association of Business (TAB) is collaborating with several leading statewide organizations to launch the Employers for Childcare (E4C) task force. This initiative, aimed at developing public policy solutions to enhance affordable, high-quality childcare access for hardworking families in Texas, comes at a crucial time as Texas communities and businesses rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19, and as Texas continues to witness rapid population growth as more families move to our state seeking greater economic opportunities.
The aftermath of the pandemic left Texas with a childcare system in need of revitalization.
In fact, a 2021 study found that childcare issues result in an estimated $9.39 billion in losses to the Texas economy each year – with employers losing approximately $7.59 billion annually due to absences and employee turnover, while state and local governments lose another $1.8 billion in tax revenues.
Family-friendly policies are top of mind. The number of jobs on Indeed advertising flexible work policies has risen from 2.9 million in 2021 to 7.3 million in 2023. In addition to increasing employee satisfaction, flexibility allows for incumbent workers to upskill or reskill in one of thousands of short-term credentialing programs.
With respect to the acute nursing shortage in Texas, the Texas Hospital Association projected that over 500,000 nurses were expected to leave the profession in 2023, increasing vacancies to 1.1 million. The lack of reliable childcare for employees in non-traditional hourly jobs contributes to this exodus, and plagues restaurant and manufacturing communities as well.
Employers for Childcare will recruit members from various business sectors throughout the spring of 2024. This will provide prominent voices in the business community with an opportunity to engage in this crucial conversation, expressing their needs and contributing their ideas. Guided by comprehensive research, the task force will diligently work throughout the latter half of this year to develop a policy agenda focused on improving childcare options statewide. The ultimate goal is to advocate for the adoption of these policy reforms during Texas' 89th Regular Legislative Session when it begins in January 2025.
This collaborative initiative marks a pivotal moment for Texas. By addressing the long-overlooked childcare needs of working families, Employers for Childcare is committed to not only strengthening the Texas economy, but also to creating a brighter and more prosperous future for generations of Texans to come.
To learn more about how to get involved in Employers for Childcare, click here.
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