Activistas

Childcare in Downtown Pdx: Take 2

Awhile back we posted a survey about downtown amenities for the families who live, work and play there.  Well, the results are in and here's what Nancy reports out from the OHSU nursing students who undertook the project:

The students conducted a survey on community health needs and wrote a paper called 'The Importance and Availability of Childcare in Central Portland'. In it they discuss the results of their survey, the importance of high quality childcare, and ways that other cities are addressing this issue. They also have an interesting take on the need to form social networks amongst families living downtown, and report that over half of those surveyed would like to see a community center and school in the central city.

Their work in some ways bookends a survey of River District employers and employees that Zimmerman Community Center conducted in March 2007.  Here are some of the results of the surveyed employees:

• 78% of respondents with children under the age of 6, and 80% with children K-5th grade, have missed work because of child care issues.
• 78% of respondents with children under the age of 6, and 71% with children K-5th grade, said their productivity at work would increase if they had access to child care nearby.
• 73% of respondents who expect to be the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 6 in the near future said that the availability of child care near their place of work would influence their decision to continue working after their child arrives.

It's pretty clear that childcare near parents' workplaces is a win-win.  So how come there are so very few in downtown Portland?  This is not rocket science.  Its economic development and community support for families.  It sure would be nice to see the city take a lead on this - at the very least by expanding slots for its own employees who often wait - literally - years to get in.  Just doesn't seem necessary.

Childcare Series in Eastern Oregonian

You're right, I don't read the Eastern Oregonian.  But recently we set up a feed of our fave Activistas topics to rant about, and now, voila, article upon article of the stuff.  Just now I came across this excellent, comprehensive special report on child care issues in Umatilla and Morrow counties (but relevant right here, too).  It all sounds real familiar, mamas. 

The report covers topics like: care shortages, caregiver resources, quality care, options for businesses, the link to economic development, and the tricky issue of why child care isn't valued  - but should be.  You can read the report for yourself (it's a jewel), but in the bizarre event that you don't have that kinda time, here is an excerpt worth repeating about why child care isn't valued as a profession, but should be:

A 2005 report by the Oregon Child Care Information Partnership points out that for many families, financial circumstances limit their access to quality child care - it's just too expensive. So, child care establishments have to keep their prices low, and they do this by paying low wages. The result: The child care industry has an inexperienced and minimally-trained work force, with high turnover. There are few incentives for child care providers to get advanced education and training above and beyond what is mandated by state licensing rules.

Best Kept Secret: Oregon increased its childcare subsidy, and there's $ left!

Good news! And now it's time to spread the word because, according to the O, most of us had no idea that in the 2007 legislative session our state legislators (go Tina Kotek!) approved a long-overdue increase.  The Oregonian reported on 4.8.08 that this increase a 'Iittle known fact.'  The state has made more money available and raised the qualifying income levels for its childcare assistance program, and - shocker - there are unused funds!  We've discussed the sky-high cost of childcare before - this is an issue we all struggle with.  The new assitance can make a big difference for families making tough financial choices.  From The O:

[The assistance] made a huge difference for Lisa Fackler, a 29-year-old mother of two. With the increased state subsidy, her out-of-pocket cost for day care for 10-year-old Risha and 3-year-old Aaron at the YMCA dropped from $392 in September to $25 the next month.

About 9,900 families are currently enrolled in the state's Employment Related Day Care program. More than 500 new families signed up in February -- but that's still short of the 3,000 families the Department of Human Services predicted would be added to the program by July 1, 2009.

Are you a family who needs childcare assistance and think you may qualify?  Know another family who should know?  Check out the DHS website on Qualifying for Childcare Assistance or the Child Care Resource and Referral Directory or call 1-800-342-6712.  For once, mamas, the money is there, waiting to be put to good use!  Go get it. 

More Childcare, Folks, Not Less

We've been talking about local child care issues lately here on Activistas, but now it's time to go national, mamas.  Moms Rising has out the word out about potential federal budget cuts for 2009 that would reduce a bunch of key programs, including child care.  Ugh.  Haven't we been saying we need more childcare, mamas?  Gives me the feeling someone's not listening.  We either need to talk louder or change the ears.  Likely both! 

Anyway.  The National Women's Law Center has an excellent summary of the effects of the proposed cuts, including these:

• With no increase in funding proposed for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), the Administration estimates that 200,000 low-income children and their families will lose child care assistance between FY 2007 and FY 2009.

• The small increase for Head Start proposed by the Administration-$149 million-is not even sufficient to cover inflation. This is on top of a cut of $11 million in the FY 2008 budget. As a result, 13,000 fewer low-income infants, toddlers, and preschoolers will be able to enroll in this comprehensive child development program in FY 2009 compared to FY 2007.

• The Even Start program [promotes family literacy] would be eliminated. This is the fourth straight year that the Administration has proposed to eliminate Even Start, which already absorbed a funding cut of over 50 percent in 2006.

I NEED CHILDCARE: quality, affordable, convenient

Is it too much to ask?  I have been a full-time working parent in all my life as a parent.  I have always worked downtown.  I have always struggled so hard to find quality, affordable childcare in a downtown location.  Perhaps I can find a Kindercare or other corporate-run daycare, and the programs are typically priced for corporate workers.  There is still a dearth of decent affordable childcare downtown.

There are many reasons why it makes sense for me to have my children at daycares in facilites close to the office.  As a nursing mother, I could go nurse during breaks.  I could also drop by during a break to just peak in, say "hi", give a kiss, or just catch a glimpse of the little folk as they nap.  But, here in Portland, there is still a dearth of downtown childcare facilities.

We've previously mentioned that there are efforts underway to elevate issues that affect families in Central Portland and to make them visible to city officials.  Some city folk have really been taken by this concept: is there really a lack of decent childcare for all the working parents in downtown Portland?  Why?  Are you a parent who works downtown?  Where have you found suitable childcare -- is it downtown or perhaps closer to home?