By Angela DeBoskey
The employment website Indeed credits childcare issues for 60% of employee absenteeism.
It’s a staggering number that, unfortunately, is likely all too relatable to Hancock County parents and business leaders alike.
But what if we could rewrite this statistic here in our own community?
I am honored to be part of a group of community leaders and concerned parents who are looking to create a plan to implement childcare solutions across Hancock County. But first we need to understand and quantify gaps in current childcare opportunities from an individual and workplace perspective.
That’s where you come in.
If you are a parent or prospective parent — even a grandparent or a parent of grown children — we’d like to know a little more about your experience. Maybe you’ve had trouble finding a childcare provider close to your home and had to seek out care in a neighboring community. Maybe you lack access to available subsidized care for your child, or struggle to find childcare opportunities that match your work schedule. Perhaps you can relate to that statistic at the start of this column, as a child’s sickness or an unexpected school closure has required you to call off work.
We need your voice.
And if you are an HR professional or business leader, we’d like to understand to what degree your business has been impacted by a shortage of childcare opportunities in Hancock County. Do you struggle with employee recruitment and retention because of this? Are you considering more flexible work hours, work-from-home opportunities or even implementing on-site childcare to help overcome these challenges?
We need your voice, too.
Despite the challenges, we understand that access to safe, reliable childcare is essential to families achieving and maintaining financial stability. And we know that it is a key factor in Hancock County’s overall workforce development. From a child’s standpoint, a consistent care schedule can only help in promoting social, academic and emotional growth.
These elements are central to our work here at United Way of Hancock County, speaking to our Vulnerable Children Initiative, our new Financial Stability Initiative, workforce development support, and promotion of overall safety and health. They are also valued by our partners in this project: Blanchard Valley Health System, the Findlay Family YMCA, The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and Hancock County Job & Family Services.
Please visit our Childcare Resources webpage and complete the five-minute survey that best represents your point of view. Then share it with a friend. Your responses will help us understand the scope of the problem and could also support the efforts of the YMCA as the largest childcare provider in the county. Survey data will inform our next steps in implementing solutions with the whole community in mind.
Be sure to check back at this webpage later this summer, where results from both surveys will be posted.
Your input matters. Take the survey today!
DeBoskey is CEO of United Way of Hancock County.