Donna Deegan spotlights Jacksonville’s childcare access gaps

Jacksonville has room to improve its access to childcare, according to Mayor Donna Deegan.

She says it isn’t just a family issue. It’s also infrastructure for the workforce and the community.

Jacksonville families are paying on average $1,000 to $2,400 per month, she said, forcing “impossible choices” between that and other costs for lower and middle-income families.

Almost 2/3 of people with children have missed work because of childcare complications. And roughly 15% of people have reduced work hours or left jobs.

Though the city has hundreds of childcare providers, she said staffing is tough given the average $37,000 salary for employees, which is less than half of what a family of four would need to be economically secure.

To that end, the city is creating a program called River City Care to focus on access and affordability, upon the recommendation of the Child Care Solutions Task Force.

She wants employers, philanthropists, providers, parents and faith communities “at the table on this very important issue.”

The city’s Kids Hope Alliance puts in $3.5 million for early learning, money matched by the state.

Deegan says she’s not looking for new taxpayer money for childcare, but wants to see people work together on solutions.

Task force Chair Lynn Sherman noted that funding currently isn’t available for task force recommendations. She urged people to “work differently” and “build partnerships” to address what she called a “shared responsibility.”

Per Sherman, the task force says childcare needs to be more affordable, more accessible especially in “neighborhoods with the greatest needs,” and partnership with employers for family-friendly workplaces.