Summit to Address Childcare Crisis Comes To St. Cloud, Seeks Solutions From Businesses

(KNSI) – The United Way of Central Minnesota and Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation are spearheading a summit on the childcare crises in central Minnesota.

Officials say more than 5,300 kids need day care in Stearns, Benton, and northern Sherburne and Wright County. Statistics show that 34% of families go down to one because it’s cheaper than paying the cost of care.

The meeting is Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Great River Reginal Library in St. Cloud. The group held several gatherings last year, but this will be the largest. United Way Director of Financial Stability Alexis Lutgen explained the meeting is focused on what the business community can do because the shortage hurts them too. “It affects the productivity of the business itself and the ability to attract and retain employees.”

The summit is meant to bring together stakeholders to find out-of-the-box solutions. Lutgen wants attendees to throw ideas at the wall that have worked in other communities to see what sticks. She runs through some of the options. “There’s partnering with local childcare centers to buy down slots or partner to save slots. There’s different benefits packages and incentives that employers can offer to help offset some of the costs for childcare for their employees.”

She says they will launch a toolkit for businesses on their website to let companies see options to help their workers find day care.

For more information on working to help solve the childcare crises, contact Sara Hagen at 320-229-3511 or shagen@unitedwayhelps.org

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