'Child care matters'

COEUR d’ALENE — Mersadeis Hawkins has a 1-year-old daughter who enjoys learning at a Sandpoint day care and this week, said her name.

Hawkins said that is because her daughter is in an environment where “her skills are highlighted and celebrated, individually and collectively with all the children in her class group.”

As a parent and a resident of Idaho, she wants children to continue to have excellent child care.

“It’s essential to play and learn at the same time,” Hawkins said Wednesday during a rally on Front Avenue near Coeur d’Alene City Hall. “It makes a huge difference, being able to integrate that in a safe way.”

About 20 people gathered “to demand immediate legislative action to continue Child Care Business Grant funding.”

Despite cold and windy conditions, they held signs that said “Child care is essential,” “Child care matters,” and “Child care is the backbone of Idaho.”

“I’m with you all and my heart goes out to you,” Hawkins said.

Business owners, employees, parents, and others gathered on Wednesday in Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls.

They detailed the impact of cutting the grants early and unexpectedly on the child care industry and outlined the need for the state to develop a plan to address the industry’s pressing needs.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes happening throughout the United States in regards to child care and I’ve been asking myself what’s going on in Idaho that they don’t feel the importance of funding our most foundational, important age group that affects the entire generation,” said Tana Vanderholm, president of three Storybook Early Learning Centers in North Idaho.

She said day care centers support school districts, businesses, communities and families, along with providing early learning.

She said she doesn’t understand why that is not important to some of Idaho’s legislators.

“It must be because they are viewing child care providers as babysitters,” Vanderholm said.

She and others were upset because the Idaho Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee recently voted against distributing American Rescue Plan Act funds of $36 million that would have gone to child care providers from July to September. Another $43 million in remaining federal allocations for Idaho to spend on child care grants until July is also at risk, according to an Idaho Capital Sun report.

JFAC’s budget plan still has to go before the Idaho House and Senate.

“As a result of the JFAC budget actions last week, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a notice informing child care businesses that their grant funding will end immediately, cutting off support months earlier than expected and leaving the industry in an unexpected financial bind,” said a press release from Idaho First Steps Alliance.

Jennifer Stoneman, owner of three child care centers in North Idaho, said Idaho child care is in crisis and this is making it worse.

She said it is not uncommon for child care centers to lose money. She knows of eight centers that closed in North Idaho in the last three years.

She said the eliminated funds would have been used to provide $300 per month wage enhancement grants to child care teachers and monthly facility grants to child care programs.

Without the grants, she said day care providers can only offer $13 an hour, which most prospective employees decline because they can make more elsewhere.

Vanderholm said it’s critical to hire people who have talent, drive and passion when it comes to child care. Without the grant funds, that will be difficult.

“Our ask is very small,” Stoneman said. “We are asking legislators to keep their promise and approve the continued disbursement of these grants for just a few more months, allowing us enough time to make adjustments within our finances to whatever extent we can, to stay open.”

Keri Cederquist, United Way of North Idaho community impact director, said they are working to help decision makers “understand what will happen if we don’t invest in child care.”

She said United Way is talking with businesses about long-term solutions regarding day care and keeping the issue at the forefront.

“We’re here behind you to support you,” she said at the rally.

According to the Idaho Capital Sun, House and Senate Democratic leaders Sen. Melissa Wintrow and Rep. Ilana Rubel, both from Boise, said they did not understand why JFAC would deny child care assistance.

“This is an inflection point for every other industry. Every industry in the state counts on child care access, whether you are in manufacturing or whether you’re in food services or whatever you’re in, your workers need child care,” Rubel told the Capital Sun. “And these funds are very badly needed. I think it can still be fixed, but it’s going to be an uphill battle.”

Emily Allen, coordinator of Idaho First Steps Alliance, said child care business owners and their employees are tired of being ignored by Idaho leaders.

“Slashing funding early will force businesses to increase prices or lay off staff," she said. "Many child care businesses will not survive this disruption without a plan in place to move them beyond the crisis and into a sustainable child care infrastructure.”

Those at Wednesday’s rallies are calling for two things: for the Idaho Legislature to approve the Child Care Business Grant funding through September, and creation of a plan to address the industry’s pressing needs.

Hawkins questioned the effect a lack of funding for child care will have on children.

“This is not something that can be ignored,” she said.