WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

OUR TOPIC TONIGHT: CHILD CARE IN KENTUCKY.

FOR MANY KENTUCKIANS IT'S HARD TO FIND GOOD RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, AND THAT'S AFFECTING DECI PEOPLE MAKE ABOUT WORK, ESPECIALLY WOMEN.

IS KENTUCKY IN A CHILD CARE CRISIS AND HOW HAS NATIONWIDE WORKER SHORTAGE HIT THIS CRUCIAL INDUSTRY?

AND HOW DO WE ATTRACT PEOPLE TO A TOUGH JOB THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS PAY WELL?

TO DISCUSS THIS WE'RE JOINED FROM OUR LEXINGTON STUDIO by LYDIA IRBY, THE HUMAN RESOURCES SENIOR MANAGER FOR TOYOTA MANUFACTURING KENTUCKY.

SARAH VANOVER, POLICY AND RESEARCH DIRECTOR FOR KENTUCKY YOUTH ADV THE CHARLES AULL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR POLICY AND RESEARCH AT THE KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOSIE RAYMOND, A DEMOCRAT FROM LOUISV AND STATE SENATOR DANNY CARROLL A REPUBLICAN FROM BENTON AND CEO OF THE NON-PROFIT EASTERSEALS IN WEST KENTUCKY.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

SO SENT US JURY QUESTIONS BY tw TWITTER AT KYTONIGHTKET.

SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.ORG.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/KYT.

BE SURE TO CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS YOU'RE NOT A ROBOT.

AND YOU CAN CALL 1-800-494-7605.

WELCOME TO ALL OUR GUESTS.

IN ONE STUDIO TONIGHT SO WE'RE GLAD TO SEE YOU ALL.

I WANT TOO START WITH MS. VANOVER BECAUSE I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH YOU ONE ON ONE THIS ISSUE MANY TIMES AND THIS BOOK, WHICH I DON'T USUALLY MAKE A PLUG FOR BOOKS, BUT THIS IS AN ADOLESCENT BOOK ABOUT AMERICA'S CHILD CARE CRISIS SO I WANT YOU TO CON SEXUALIZE WHERE KENTUCKY IS?

ARE WE AT CRISIS LEVELS WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS AND QUALITY?

>> DEFINITELY, AND I WOULD SAY THAT APPLIES TO EVERY STATE IN THE U.S. OUR ISSUES IN KENTUCKY REALLY FOCUS ON ACCESS FOR ALL CHILDREN.

REGIONAL WE HAVE ISSUES WITH ACCESS BECAUSE OF CHILD CARE DESERTS, AREAS THAT DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH CHILD CARE SLOTS FOR THE CHILDREN THAT NEED IT.

WE ALFS HUGE STAFFING CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE STATE RIGHT NOW.

OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, THEY NEED TO BE PAID HIGHER WAGES AND BE UNTIL THEY ARE MANY OF THEM ARE LEAVING THE FIELD FOR THE HOT INDUSTRY, RETAIL INDUSTRY, OTHER AREAS WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE MORE MONEY FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

AND THEN WE ALSO SEE SPECIAL GROUPS OF CHILDREN, CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT ETHNICITIES THAT REALLY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMS THAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE SAFE AND HEALTHY CARE AS WELL AS TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL WHEN THEY START KINDERGARTEN.

>> WE KNOW THAT IN 2020 THERE WERE SOME CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, DAYCARES THAT DID HAVE TO CLOSE.

THIS IS RIGHT WHEN THE PANDEMIC WAS RAMPING UP.

SO WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOW MANY OF THOSE HAVE RETURNED AND THE STAFFING LEVELS AND PARENTS EVEN SAYING, OKAY, I'M READY NOW TO ENROLL MY CHILD INTO THAT COLLECTIVE DAYCARE SETTING?

>> PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, KENTUCKY HAD CAPACITY FOR JUST OVER 165,000 CHILDREN TO BE IN CHILD CARE.

THAT NUMBER NOW IS JUST OVER 158,000.

SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS AS FAR AS THE NUMBERS LOOK OH A PAGE.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE SET BY THE SIZE OF THE BUILDINGS AND HOW MANY CHILDREN CAN BE IN THE BUILDINGS.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW AND WHAT IS VERY HARD TO TRACK IS HOW MANY OF THOSE CENTERS ARE OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY.

ALMOST EVERY DIRECTOR I KNOW HAS MISSING STAFF MEMBERS, AND WITH MISSING STAFF MEMBERS COMES CLOSED CLASSROOMS, SO IF YOU'RE MISSING TWO STAFF TO TEACH A PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM, THAT CAN BE 20 TWO 24 CHILDREN THAT COULD BE SERVED IF THAT WAS OPEN, AND SO THAT NUMBER OF CAPACITY REALLY IS NOT A TRUE WINDOW ON WHAT STATE ENROLLMENT CAPABILITY IS.

AND FLOORED TO GET THAT ENROLLMENT NUMBER CLOSER TO CAPACITY, WE HAVE TO HAVE THE STAFF IN ORDER TO STAFF THOSE CLASSROOMS AND TO INTERACT AND TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

>> SO WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS ON MAKING THAT STAFFED, GET TO THOSE OPTIMAL NUMBERS.

I WANT TO GO TO YOU MR. CHAD AULL WITH THE CHAMBER BECAUSE YOU HAVE POLLING DATA THAT SAID 60% SAID CHILD CARE AFFECTED THEIR ABILITY TO STAY IN THE WORKFORCE, 20% HAD QUIT THEIR JOB IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO STAY WITH THEIR CHILD.

THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 46,000 KENTUCKIANS IF I'M DOING THAT MATH RIGHT WHO AREN'T ABLE TO BE IN THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF CHILD CARE NEEDS.

WHAT MORE CAN YOU ADD TO THIS SITUATION ABOUT HOW DIRE THE SITUATION OF CHILD CARE IS IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT THE CHILD CARE SECTOR IS THAT IT'S ONE OF THOSE SECTORS WHERE IT HAS A WORKFORCE CRISIS WITHIN ITSELF, BUT AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE OF CHALLENGES WITHIN THE CHILD CARE SECTOR ITSELF THOSE ARE APPLIED TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

A LOT OF WORKERS ARE SIMPLY UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKFORCE OR REAGANLY WORK THEY'RE JOB OR AT LEAST HAVE SOME CONSISTENCY WITH THEIR JOB SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AMPLE CHILD CARE, TO.

SO THAT IS ONE OF THOSE BARRIERS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AT THE CHAMBER AS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S KEEPING A WHOLE LOT OF FOLKS FROM BIEBEL ABLE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKERS AND THAT WAS SOMETHING A DISPROPORTIONATELY EFFECT ON FEMALE WORKERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE U.S. AS A WHOLE WE SAW ABOUT 25 MILLION PEOPLE LEAVE WHAT WE WOULD CONSIDER THE EMPLOYED PORTION OF OUR WORKFORCE.

MORE THAN 50% OF THOSE WERE WOMEN, EVEN THOUGH WOMEN DON'T REPRESENT GENERALLY 50% OF THAT SHARE OF THE WORKFORCE.

ONE OF THE THING WE'VE SEEN SINCE THEN WAS OUR MALE WORKFORCE LEVELS HAVE LARGELY RECOVERED WHERE FEMALE WORKFORCE LEVELS ARE HALF A MILLION BELOW WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

CHILD CARE IS UNDOUBTEDLY GOING TO BE ONE OF THE DRIVERS OF THAT PROBLEM, AND SO THE MORE WE CAN DO TO STABILIZE THAT SECTOR, THE MORE WE CAN DO TO.

THAT'S ONE OF THE MAJOR ECONOMIC CHALLENGES FACING KENTUCKY SO THAT THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE SITUATED AS PART OF KENTUCKY'S LARGER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.

ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL ISSUE AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT KENTUCKY NEEDS TO SOLVE.

>> DO YOU LOOK AT A, REPRESENT RAYMOND, FROM A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AEROAS A MOTHER OF THREE?

>> CORRECT.

>> THREE MALL IS CHILDREN WHO UTILIZE I'M SURE CHILD CARE.

>> IT'S BOTH.

MY YOUNGEST WAS SIX WEEKS OLD WHEN COVID SHUTS DOWN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN 100,000 EM BEFORE KENTUCKY, I DON'T HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB ANYMORE BECAUSE MY FULL-TIME JOB IS TO BE WITH THE KIDS.

IN FRANKFORT WE TALKING ABOUT FOR, WORSE PARTICIPATION SPEAKER AMONG WOMEN, AND IT'S BEEN DROPPING IN KENTUCKY FOR YEARS AND CHILD CARE IS A BIG BARRIER.

I DON'T WANT TO GET LOST IN THE CONVERSATION HOW VALUABLE CHILD CARE IS FOR KIDS.

THERE ARE MYTHS THAT I CHILD CARE IS EITHER BABYSIT ORGANIZING IT'S S.A.T.

PREP WHEN IN REALITY IT'S NEITHER.

?

A HIGH QUALITY ENVIRONMENT IT'S PLAY-BASED LEARNING.

IT GIVES THEM READY FOR SCHOOL AND GIVES THEM SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS THEY WILL USE FOR REST OF THEIR LIVES AND HELPS THEM WITHth HEALTH OUTCOMES.

IT'S NOT SOMEWHERE WE'RE STING OUR KIDS WHERE OUR KIDS CAN GO TO WORK.

IT'S SOMEWHERE OUR I SAID TO GO THRIVE.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT NEEDS TO MATCH THE NEED AND THE CURRENT LEVEL OF CRISIS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE BENEFIT, BUT I THINK WE'VE SEEN SO MUCH MOMENTUM IN FORECAST COUPLE OF YEARS ON CHILD CARE AND THE BRAIN SCIENCE CAN ABOUTING ACCEPTED SCIENCE.

SO THE CONVERSATION IN FRANKFORT FOR ME IS NEVER, I DON'T BELIEVE IT.

I DON'T THINK HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION IS GOOD FOR KIDS.

IT'S HOW DO -- HOW DOES THE LEGISLATURE HAVE A ROLE IN SUPPORTING IT.

AND WE'RE GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE YOU'VE GOT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THIS SECTOR.

>> SO EVERYONE'S ON COMMON GROUND, SENATOR CARROLL, WHEN IT COMES ON THE VALUE ASSESSMENT THAT EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES ARE IMPORTANT IN A CHILD'S MATRICULATION THROUGHOUT THEIR FORMATIVE EDUCATION.

SO THERE'S NO DISPUTE ABOUT THAT, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO AT ALL, AND AS REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND SAID, OVER PAST YEARS WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS SURPRISED IN HA AREA.

AND I CAN -- STRIDES IN THAT AREA.

I CAN BE WHEN I GOT INVOLVED IN CHILD CARE 12, 13 YEARS AGO IT WAS VERY MUCH BABYSITTING AT THAT POINT AND IT HAS CHANGED COMPLETELY.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE REALLY SEEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY COME AROUND, AND I KNOW IN THE SENATE EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE.

PROBABLY THE ONLY QUESTION THAT REMAINS IS THE DELIVERY MODEL, WHETHER WE LOOK AT UNIVERSAL PUBLIC PRE-K OR BLENDED MODEL, AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY DIFFERENCE, BUT EVERYONE IS UNITED IN THAT IT IS A WORKFORCE ISSUE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES TO OVERCOME.

IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THIS TO CREATE A MODEL WITHIN THE COMMONWEALTH THAT WILL GROW CHILD CARE FACILITIES, CONTINUE TO IMPROVE QUALITY, PROVIDE AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AND AS A WORKFORCE AS WE JUST MENTIONED.

SO WE'VE GOT TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL AND THAT'S REALLY THE GOAL RIGHT NOW.

>> AND FORKERS CENTERS THAT PROVIDE DAYCARE AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THIS CAN BE A PARTICULARLY CHALLENGING TIME.

>> IT CAN, AND AT OUR CENTER WE HAVE A MEDICALLY FRAGILE PROGRAM, AND WE'RE NORMALLY AT FULL CAPACITY AT 40, 45 MAX, AND DURING THE PANDEMIC WE LOST NUMEROUS KIDS, AND OUR NUMBERS ARE STILL -- WE'RE BACK IN THE 20s, SO THAT'S BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT POPULATION.

AND THESE CENTERS LIKE WE HAVE, IT'S PRESCRIBED PEDIATRICIAN EXTENDED CARE, AND THERE ARE ONLY FIVE, SIX THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMONWEALTH, SO THAT IS A MODEL THAT WORKS REALLY WELL, AND IT ALLOWS THOSE CHILDREN TO GET MEDICAL CARE PLUS GET THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT, THE DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES THEY FACE ARE CHALLENGING AND THEY'RE PROVIDE THE SERVICES THEY NEED.

SO THIS IS A VERY CRUCIAL COMPONENT I THINK AS WE MOVED FORWARD STOW LOOK AT THAT ASPECT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ALSO.

>> I WANT TO BRING IN MS. IRBY.

WELCOME.

I THINK THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIMECO TONIGHT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE TOYOTA MANUFACTURING IN KENTUCKY BECAUSE YOU ALL STARTED AN ON-SITE DAYCARE FACILITY/CENTER BACK IN THE EARLY '90S, '93 OR SO, SO TELL US ABOUT HOW THAT'S GROWN AND THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU FACE.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS, YES.

WE HAVE HAD AN ON-SITE 24-HOUR DAYCARE CENTER SINCE 1993, SO GOING ON ALMOST 30 YEARS NOW.

AND I'M LISTENING TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE TALKING ABOUT THE KIND OF COMPONENT THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IN AN ON-SITE CENTER, AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST BABYSITTING.

WE PARTNERED WITH A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES WHOLE FULL CHILD LEARNING, SO IT'S TRYING TO CREATE A JOYFUL SPACE FOR THE KIDS BUT ALSO A PLACE WHERE WHEN PARENTS FEEL SAFE, THEY CAN DO THEIR WORK.

WHEN THE PARENTS FEEL THEIR KIDS ARE SAFE, THEY CAN DO THEIR WORK.

SEE SOW IT'S ALSO BEEN A GOOD RETENTION TOOL FOR US AS WELL.

BEING THAT WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 30 YEARS AT THIS LOCATION AND ALSO HAVE A SIMILAR FACILITY AT OUR OUR INDIANA LOCATION, WE HAVE EVOLVED WITH THE TIMES, BUT SOME OF THE SAME THINGS ARE NEEDED NOW THAT WERE NEEDED 30 YEARS AGO.

A SAFE PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN.

WE HAVE INCLUDED STEM TYPE CURRICULUM.

>> SO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.

>> SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH.

I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S A TV ON SITE UNLESS THEY'RE TRUE TO USE FOR IT VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS OR THINGS THAT OF NATURE.

WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF PIVOTING TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCES THEY WOULD HAVE IN A REAL WORLD, BUT IT'S BEEN VERY GOOD FOR US.

>> RIGHT.

AND SO YOU MENTIONED ABOUT IT BEING A WORKER RETENTION ISSUE, AND I IMAGINE IT WOULD BE BECAUSE THAT'S ONE MAJOR CRITICAL THING THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

I MEAN, CAN YOU QUANTIFY HOW THAT HAS PAID OFF FOR TOYOTA BY HAVING THAT ON-SITE DAYCARE?

>> I CAN SAY THAT OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I'D SAY 10% OF OR WORKFORCE HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS, BUT I CAN ALSO SAY THAT IT'S A GENERATIONAL RETENTIONAL THING, SO AS LONG AS YOU'RE A TOYOTA TEAM MEMBER, YOUR CHILD IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND, AND I ACTUALLY HAVE SOME COWORKERS WHOSE GLAND CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING THIS.

SO TO PEE THAT'S RETENTION.

THAT'S ALSO BEING ABLE TO HAVE -- TO ME THAT'S RETENTION.

WE HAVE SECOND AND THIRD SHIFTS AND OFTENTIMES IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A PLACE THAT'S GOING YOU BE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILD DURING SOME NONTRADITIONAL HOURS.

>> RIGHT.

BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED YOU'REPOWER/7.

IS IT 24?

>> YES.

>> 24/7.

I'M TRYING TO IMAGINE DO YOU HAVE A WORKFORCE THAT ADEQUATE?

IS TOYOTA OR THE GEORGETOWN FACILITY IN PARTICULAR FULLY STAFFED?

>> IN TERMS OF DAYCARE CENTER?

WE HAVE RECENTLY INCREASED HIRING.

WE HAVE HAD TO INCREASE OUR WAGES AS WELL AND OFFER OTHER INCENTIVES SO PEOPLE CAN COME AND WORK HERE.

BUT THEN ONE OF THE THINGS I FOUND RECENTLY WAS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THAT REST, BECAUSE CHILD CARE PROVIDING IS A DEMANDING JOB, MAKING SURE THAT YOU'RE STAFFING ABOVE AND BEYOND SO THAT PEOPLE CAN TAKE THAT EXTRA BREAK AND THEY DON'T HAVE THAT BURN-OUT, SO THAT'S SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE'RE HAVING AND I THINK OTHER AREAS ARE AS WELL.

>> HAVE YOU HAD ANY RETENTION ISSUES WITH YOUR DAYCARE STAFF OR TURNOVER?

>> JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DURING THE PANDEMIC WE DID HAVE SOME TURNOVER, BUT WE'RE BACK AT FULLY STAFFED NOW DOING WHAT WE NEED FOOD TO BE SURE WE'RE BRINGING QUALITY PROVIDERS IN FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> MS. VANOVER WE HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THIS INDUSTRY.

HASIT GROWN WHERE IT'S NOT JUST A GLORIFIED BABYSITTING SERVICE BUT IT IS PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR CARDITIS PERHAPS THAT'S THE GOAL, TO DO THAT.

AND PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT THESE CENTERS OFFER, IS THAT BEING ELEVATED SO MAYBE THE PAY AND THE BENEFITS CAN ALSO MATCH THAT?

>> I WOULD SAY AS A FIELD, YES, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO INCREASE OUR PROFESSIONALISM.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE INVESTED A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND ENERGY IN ADDITIONAL LEARNING AND TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

MAYBE THAT LOOKS LIKE A FOUR-YEAR DEGREE BUT MAYBE IT'S A CREDENTIAL.

MAYBE IT'S TAKING ALL YOUR REQUIRED TRAINING HOURS EACH YEAR AND FOCUSING THEM IN DIFFERENT AREAS.

BECAUSE THE TURNOVER RATE IN CHILD CARE IS MUCH HIGH ERIN A LOT INDUSTRIES, WE HAVE NEW PEOPLE TO THE FIELD ALL THE TIME NOW, AND WITH THE WAGES WE'RE GETTING ENTRY LEVEL STAFF MORE SO THAN VETERAN STAFF MEMBERS, SO WITH EACH NEW ENTRY LEVEL WORKER THAT COMES INTO THE FIELD, THERE IS A LOT OF TRAINING THAT HAS TO GO INTO CHANGE THOSE PERCEPTIONS.

FOR YEARS WE HAVE CALLED IT DAYCARE, AND IT WAS MORE OF A BABYSITTING TYPE ACTIVITY.

NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS THAT WORK ON THE WHOLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LOOK AT NOT ONLY MAKING SURE THAT THE CHILD IS HEALTHY AND SAFE WHILE THEY'RE THERE, WHICH, OF COURSE, IS THE PARENT'S FIRST GOAL WHEN THEY FIND SOMEWHERE TO PLACE THEIR CHILD, BUT ALSO TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, WOULD BE IN A GROUP, AND TO GET A LOT OF THOSE SKILLS THAT ARE NEEDED PRIOR TO ACADEMIC LEARNING.

BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT, OUR TEACHERS HAVE TO HAVE THE TRAINING THAT THEY NEED, AND THEY NEED GOOD MENTORS.

THEY NEED TO SEE VETERAN.

STAFF MEMBERS O.

WHO KNOW HOW TO TALK TO THE CHILDREN.

SO MUCH OF THAT QUALITY SCARE IN THOSE ONE-ON-ONE INTERACTIONS, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW TO DO RIGHT OFF THE BAT, IS WE HAVE TO INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCE NOT ONLY TO GIVE THEM THE WAGES HA THEY NEED BUT ALSO TO GIVE THEM THE TRAINING THAT THEY NEED BECAUSE PEOPLE LEAVE THIS FIELD MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE FROM BURN-OUT.

WAGES AND BURN-OUT ARE REALLY AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

WAGES, WE CAN WORK TOWARDS INCREASING, BUT IF WE DON'T INCREASE THE STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND HELP PEOPLE HAVE THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO BE IN A CLASSROOM OF 20 PRESCHOOLERS AT ONE TIME THEN THEY'RE GOING TO LEAVE JUST AS QUICKLY ALSO.

>> I DO HAVE TO ASK ABOUT BECAUSE IN THE K4612 SPACE WE TALK ABOUT TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS AND COURSES.

IS THAT THAT ALSO APPLIED IN THOSE EARLY LEARNING YEARS?

>> DEFINITELY.

WE HAVE A VARIETY EVEN IN THE LEXINGTON AREA, WE HAVE A VARIETY OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND WE SEE SOME OF THEM AT UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

YOU CAN GET FOUR-YEAR DEGREES.

YOU CAN GET TWO-YEAR DEGREES.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A NATIONAL CREDENTIAL CALLED CHILD CARE ASSOCIATES THAT'S EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT TWO COLLEGE CLASSES, AND FOR INSTANCE IN HEAD START PROGRAMS IT HAD WOULD BE AN EARLY HEAD START TEACHER FOR CHILDREN UP TO THE AGE OF THREE OR TO BE AN ASSISTANT TEACHER.

GET WHAT THEY WANT THAT CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE.

WE SEE IT FOR PARA-EDUCATORS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL PRESCHOOL GETTING A CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES.

AND THEN THERE ARE DIFFERENT CERTIFICATES AND TRAININGS THAT YOU CAN WORK ICE WHOLE, AND THE STATE IN GENERAL HAS MADE A HUGE PUSH THROUGH THE CAB NORTHWEST HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES TO OFFER A LOOT HOR TRAININGS TO HOW TO WORK WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SO THE DIVISION OF CHILD CARE HAS LAUNCHED INITIATIVES THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TO GET OUR CERTIFIED TRAINERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, GET THEM MORE KNOWLEDGE ON WORKING WITH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS SO THAT OUR TEACHERS FEEL MORE PREPARED BECAUSE REALM THAT'S THE AREA THAT A LOT OF US FEEL MORE UNCOMFORTABLE IN, NOT JUST DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS BUT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH TRAUMA, CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS LIKE SENATOR CARROLL SAID, SO HELPING OUR TEACHERS FEEL PREPARED TO WORK IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

, AND TO ENHANCE THE BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM INSTEAD OF FEELING OVERWHELMED EACH DAY.

>> WHERE US THE THE CHAMBER FIT INTO THIS PART OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT TEACHER PREPARATION?

>> TEACHER PREPARING A KEY PART.

AS REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND BROUGHT UP, THIS IS NOT ONLY ABOUT FINDING A PLACE FOR SOMEONE TO WATCH YOUR KIDS FOR THE DAY.

THIS IS ALSO MOLDING THAT FUTURE GENERATION.

AND SO HAVING GOOD QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IS I THINK A REALLY CRITICAL PART OF THIS.

I DO THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT OF BALANCE GOING INTO THIS IN TERMS OF THE TYPES OF CREDENTIALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE POTENTIALLY REQUIRED FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS BECAUSE THAT HAS TO BE BALANCED ALSO WITH WAGE EXPECTATIONS BECAUSE WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT WAGERS A REALLY, REALLY BIG ISSUE WITHIN THIS PARTICULAR SECTOR, BUT I THINK MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IS A REALLY CRITICAL THING.

THAT'S ONE OF ASPECTS OF A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE'LL PROBABLY TALK ABOUT A LITTLE BIT MORE, HOUSE BILL 499, PART OF PARTICIPATING IN THAT BILL IS THAT THE CENTER, THE PROVIDERS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THAT DO NEED TO BE PART OF THE KENTUCKY ALL STARS AND ONE OF THE REASONS -- >> AND THIS IS A RATING SYSTEM BY WHICH DAYCARE CENTERS ARE RATED.

>> CORRECT.

OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD RATING SYSTEM.

ONE OF THE WAS TO ENCOURAGE MORE AND MORE PROVIDES TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT PROGRAM AND BE HIGH QUALITY PROVIDERS.

THAT IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THIS CONVERSATION WEEK MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT JUST PROVIDING THAT PLACE WHERE FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING TO TAKE KIDS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF BUT ALSO TAKING ADVANTAGE THAT OF TIME WHEN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT IS EMERGING RAPIDLY AND THAT WE CAPITALIZE ON THAT SO THAT THESE KICKED GET A HEAD START MOVING INTO KINDERGARTEN AND ONWARDS.

>> THIS QUESTION FROM JOYCE GARISH FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY.

FROM MOTHERS WHO WANT TO WORK TO PROVIDE FINANCIALLY FOR THE FAMILY BUT WHO ALSO WANT TO BE HOME TANK CARE OF THE CHILDREN, COULD A POSSIBLE SOLUTION BE FOR THOSE MOTHERS TO WORK AT THE DAYCARENESS.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY COMMON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO GO INTO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD FIELD BECAUSE THEY NEED THE INCOME, THEY NEED A JOB, THEY CARE ABOUT CHILDREN.

THAT'S ONE REASON THAT THEY STARTED A FAMILY ON THEIR OWN.

AND YOU SEE A GOOD PORTION OF WOMEN AND MEN, TOO, THAT GO SO THAT THEY CAN WORK, HAVE A JOB AND BE CLOSE TO THEIR CHILD.

WHEN MY CHILDREN WERE INFANTS AND TODDLERS, I WAS A SENATE DIRECTOR CENTER DIRECTOR AND THEY WERE DOWN THE HALL FROM ME.

THAT WITH A AS HUGE BENEFIT.

IT'S A STRESSFUL JOB TO RUN A ELF ASK PROGRAM BUT IT'S OFFSET KNOWING I'M CLOSE TO MY FAMILY AND IT IS CAN BE A HUGE BENEFIT, TOO, FOR THE FAMILY THEMSELVES.

>> I WANT TO ASK MS. IRBY.

IS THAT AN EXPERIENCE AT TOYOTA?

>> IT IS.

WE DO HAVE PEOPLE ON STAFF THAT HAVE THEIR CHILDREN AND IS THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS THAT YOUR CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE IN A CHILD CARE CENTER.

>> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME POLICIES THAT WOULD IMPROVE.

AND I WANT TO GET TO THE POINT ABOUT THE CREDENTIALING AND THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE PROFESSIONALISM THAT YOU WANT TO BE REQUIRED FOR A DAYCARE WORKER, BUT THE WAGES MAY 23409 BE COMMENSURATE.

LET'S FIRST UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAY?

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ENTRY LEVEL, BUT AS YOU MOVE UP THROUGH THAT, IS IT ADVANTAGEOUS TO GO INTO ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS BUT YET YOU'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO BACKFILL, I GUESS.

>> IT DEPENDS GREATLY ON THE PROGRAM.

THIS IS A WIDE VARIETY OF PAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLANS, THERE WERE STABILIZATION PAYMENTS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DESIGNATED TO GO OUT TO ALL THE PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE FENNEL STABLE, AND ONE OF THE THING 2 DIVISION OF CHILD CARE.

AND THE CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES DID WAS TO MAKE THOSE PROSTATE VARIED BASED HOW YOU PAID YOUR STAFF SO THE BASE PAYMENT YOU GOT WAS BASED UPON YOUR CAPACITY BUT IF YOU PAID ALL OF YOUR STAFF A MINIMUM OF $10 AN HOUR AND YOU COULD GET AN ADDITIONAL 10% INCENTIVE WITH THOSE PAYMENTS AND IF YOU PAID ALL OF YOUR STAFF BASE WAGE OF $13 AN HOUR, THEN YOU COULD GET $20 OVER THE MINIMUM.

MOST OF THE CENTERS -- NOT MOST.

20%.

MORE THAN A THIRD ENDED UP IN THAT TIER 2 LEVEL WHERE THE BASE PAY WAS $10 AND UP FOR THE STAFF THERE.

NATIONWIDE THIS IS A LOWER-PAYING FIELD THAN KENTUCKY WHERE OUR COST OF LIVING IS LOWER THAN SOME STATES.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF PROVIDERS THAT ARE MAKING CLOSE TO MINIMUM WAGE FOR DOING A VERY HARD DAY'S WORK.

SO TRYING TO STIMULATE THAT PAYMENT UP SO THAT OUR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS GET A HIGHER KAY PAY AND MEET THEIR OWN BILLS IS KEY TO THAT.

THE CABINET ALSO HAS A NEW REGULATION THAT'S GOING INTO EFFECT, AGAIN WITH SOME OF THOSE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN DOLLARS, BEGINNING ON OCTOBER 24th.

IF YOU ARE EMPLOYED AT A CHILD CARE PROGRAM, THEN YOU WILL CATEGORICALLY QUALIFY FOR THE CHILD CARE INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

SO YOU CAN GET YOUR CHILD CARE PAID FOR BECAUSE YOU ARE AN EMPLOYEE.

AND IN A LOT OF WAYS IT'S HELPING BRING THAT POLICY WAS CREATED TO BRING MORE PEOPLE IN AND SAY WE NEED MORE STAFF.

PLEASE COME.

THIS IS BETTER THAN WORKING IN HOSPITABLE OR RETAIL BECAUSE YOUR CHILD WILL GET THEIR COVERAGE.

IT ALSO IS HELPING THE CENTERS BECAUSE A LOT OF PLACES, A LOT OF CENTERS WILL PAY HALF THE TUITION FOR A STAFF MEMBER BUT THEN THEY LOSE MONEY EVERY TIME THEY ADMIT A STAFF MEMBER'S CHILD WHICH IS AGAIN A HUGE PERC OF WORKING THERE BUT THIS WILL ALLOW FOR THE SENATE TO GET THE FULL AMOUNT OF FUNDING FROM THE STATE'S CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND STILL DRAW IN FAMILIES THAT WANT TO BE TOGETHER AND NEED THAT ADDITIONAL WORK SOURCE.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY STIMULATE.

>> BUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT MONEY IS FINE IT.

>> IT IS.

>> SO WHEN THAT EXPIRES OR RUNS OUT, THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

>> 2024 IS THE END OF THOSE FUNDS.

SO RIGHT NOW A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN THE STATE AS A WHOLE IS REBUILDING WHAT FELL APART, BASICALLY, TOWARDS THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO BE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION, SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS THAT WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF CHILD CARE NEEDS TO IMPROVE AND REALLY THE HEART OF EVERYTHING IS AT THE WAGES OF THE PROVIDERS, BUT YOU CA PAY THE PROVIDERS SO MUCH THAT THE PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD THE COST OF CARE.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS SEESAW THAT WE TRY AND PAY THE PROVIDERS ENOUGH THAT THEY CAN LIVE ON WITHOUT CHARGING TOO MUCH.

BUT AT THIS POINT WE NEED SOMETHING TO COME IN, WHETHER IT IS STATE FUNDING, FEDERAL FUNDING, BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS, AND HELP WITH THE OFFSET OF THAT COST SO THAT PROVIDERS CAN MAKE A CONSISTENT WAGE THAT THEY CAN LIVE ON WHILE OUR PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE, WELL, DO I PAY CHILD CARE OR IS IT EVEN WORTH IT?

SHOULD I STAY HOME INSTEAD BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD $900 A MONTH FOR AN INFANT?

>> IS IT LIKE 12,000 A YEAR ON AVERAGE?

THAT RIVALS SOME COLLEGE TUITIONS.

SENATOR CARROLL, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A BILL CHARLES MENTION, HOUSE BILL 499 BUT THAT'S NOT A PANACEA TO A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT DOES IT DO?

>> REALLY IT'S NOT, AND WHAT IT DOES IS IT CREATES MORE DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE, AND AT A TIME WHEN WE CAN'T MEET THE DEMAND THAT WE HAVE, SO THAT'S THE DOWNSIDE OF IT.

THE UPSIDE I THINK IS GREAT FOR THE FUTURE IN THAT IT SETS A MODEL FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS, AND OUR HOPE IS THAT SOME DAY THAT AN INDUSTRY COMING IN, HAVING CHILD CARE ON-SITE, THAT WILL BE THE STATUS QUO THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH, SO I THINK THAT'S A COMPONENT THAT WE CAN USE TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM TO GROW MORE CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AS WE RECRUIT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY TO THE STATE AND WE PROVIDE INCENTIVES AS THIS PROGRAM DOES, WHERE THERE ARE MATCHING FUNDS WHERE THESE BUSINESSES CAN HELP COVER CHILD CARE COSTS.

SO I THINK IT'S A GREAT MODEL AND I THINK IT'S PART OF A LARGER SOLUTION TO THIS, YOU KNOW, LOOKING SPECIFICALLY AT THAT.

BUT WE DID PUT THAT OFF I THINK UNTIL 2024th, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, JUST TO HAVE A CHANCE TO STUDY IT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE DO NEED TO BE SENSITIVITY THIS POINT THAT WE NEED TO REALLY FOCUS ON THE SUPPLY AS IN THE NUMBER OF CHILD -- EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE DEMAND IS THERE, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT, BUT WE MUST HAVE THE BUSINESS BUY-IN, THE PARTNERSHIPS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT CHILD CARE DESERTS AND WE WILL IN JUST A MOMENT.

I WANT TO ASK YOU CHARLES AULL IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ABOUT HOUSE BILL 499 AND HOW THAT COULD BE A STEPPING STONE TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE COMPLEX QUESTIONS THAT ARE BEFORE JUST YEAH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HOUSE BILL 499 IS RESPONDING TO IS SOMETHING WE ARE HEARING ABOUT A LOT LEADING INTO THE 2022 ECLECTIC SESSION.

WE HAD A LOT OF EMPLOYERS WHO TOLD US THEY HAD WORKERS THAT WERE IMPORTANT TO THE WORKFORCE, THEY WANTED TO APPLE KEEP THEM AROUND, BUT THOSE WORKERS WERE GOING BACK AND FORTH WHETHER THEY COULD REMAIN FROM WORKFORCE BECAUSE THE COST OF CHILD CASE CARE WAS SO MUCH BUT WHAT WE HEARD FROM THEM WAS THEY COULDN'T BEAR THOSE COSTS THEMSELF.

HOUSE BILL 99 CREATES A THREE WAY PARTNERSHIP OF.

THE STATE AND THE BUSINESS AND THE EMPLOYEE WILL ALSO SHARE SOME OF THOSE COSTS.

SO THE REAL INTENT BEHIND THAT BILL WAS TO PREVENT THOSE INDIVIDUALS FROM EXITING THE WORKFORCE IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHICH AGAIN THAT'S A BIG ISSUE BECAUSE AS THE CHAMBER HAS TALKED ABOUT REPEATEDLY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY'S CITY THE RAPID DECLINE OF KENTUCKY'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATE RATE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

AS SENATOR CARROLL MENTIONED, THAT IS ONE PIECE OF THE PIE.

A WHOLE LOT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

IF YOU LOOK AT SORT OF THE EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILD CARE BENEFIT LANDSCAPE, IT IS AN AREA WHERE YOU DO NOT SEE A TON OF EMPLOYER INVESTMENT SO FAR.

YOU DO SEE THINGS SUCH AS WHAT WE CALL DEPENDENT CAW FSA, SO FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS.

THOSE ARE RELATIVELY COMMON.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING LIKE SAY WHAT TOYOTA DOES, THAT IS RELATIVELY RARE WITH EVER WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS MORE OF THAT.

WE WANT TO SEE MORE ON-SITE CHILD CARE.

WE WANT TO SEE MORE EMPLOYERS STEPPING UP TO PROVIDE STIPENDS, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

I THINK ONE OF THE KEY THINGS WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND AS WE NAVIGATE THAT SPACE IS THAT EMPLOYERS PROVIDE A WHOLE RANGE OF DIFFERENT BENEFITS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THINK ABOUT THINGS SUCH AS HEALTH CARE, RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS, PAID LEAVE PROGRAMS.

THIS NEEDS TO FIT IN WITH ALL OF THOSE OTHER DIFFERENT TYPES OF BENEFITS.

EMPLOYERS I THINK ARE FACED WITH A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IN BALANCING ALL THOSE DIFFERENT TYPES OF THINGS.

AND SO I THINK, AS SENATOR CARROLL ALREADY MENTIONED, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO STEP IN AND ASSIST WITH A LOT OF THESE TRANITIONS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BECAUSE IDEALLY WE DO WANT TO MAKE THAT THE NORM WHERE MORE EMPLOYERS ARE INVESTED IN THIS SPACE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL PAY OFF DOWN THE ROAD WHIT COMES TO EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND ATTRACTION BUT ALSO IT'S GOING TO PAY OFF FOR OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF THOSE CHILDREN IN THOSE EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND, I KNOW PERHAPS EMPLOYER-BASED CHILD CARE IS IMPORTANT BUT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING GREATER AND A GREAT INVESTMENT BY THE STATE THAT IS MORE UNIVERSAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR AWAY FROM IT I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS.

I KNOW WE ARE ADMIRERS BUT I WANT TOO SAY SPECIFICALLY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

IN LOUISVILLE WE HAVE 5,000, MAJORITY WOMEN OF COLOR WHO EARN AN AVERAGE OF $10 AN HOUR, AND PEOPLE CAN SAY, HOW DOES IT COST $250 A WEEK FOR HIGH QUALITY CARE AND THE WOMEN WATCHING MY KID IS MAKING $10 AN-HOUR?

I REGRET THE DOCTOR DOESN'T HAVE A WHITE BOARD TO TELL US WHY THAT IS.

I THINK WE NEED TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF WHY THAT IS AND INCREASE OUR LEVEL OF RESPECT.

I WAS TAKING MY LITTLE GIRL HOME OTHER DAY, MY TODDLER, YOU'RE TEACHER HAS TO GO HOME FOR DINNER, AND THE TEACHER SAID, ACTUALLY I'M GOING TO A CHIROPRACTIC.

IF YOU'RE HEAVING A 30-POUND CHILD AROUND YOU HAVE TO GO CHIROPRACTIC.

THE HOUSE BILL 499 IS A GOOD START, BUT THIS WAS THREE YEARS THE IN MAKING.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE CHILD CARE CRISIS OF THE PANDEMIC.

I DIDN'T STARTLE THEN.

WE HAD A CHILD CARE CRISIS PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND THE SURGICAL'S SOLUTION, FIRST SOLUTION WAS HOUSE BILL 499 WHICH IS $15 MILLION IN MATCHING FUNDS, WHICH IS GOING TO I BELIEVE HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING.

A PITFALL THAT I AMS RAISE IS THE MORE THAT WE TIE CHILD CARE TO EMPLOYMENT, THE MORE WORRIED I BECOME THAT IF SOMEONE LOSES THEIR EMPLOYMENT, THEY LOSE THEIR CHILD CARE AND THEY'RE IN AN EVEN DEEPER HOLE, SO THAT'S SOMETHING I ALWAYS WANT TO CONSIDER.

I ALSO WANT TO SHOUT-OUT THE STATE DIVISION OF CHILD CARE OF WHICH DR. VANOVER WAS PREVIOUSLY THE DIRECTOR.

YOU MENTIONED SCHOLARSHIPS NOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS.

THEY RAISED THE ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD FOR PEOPLE TO QUALIFY FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE.

THEY ARE OFFERING FACILITIES GRANTS FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS THAT NEED AN HVAC OR A ROOF AND WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO AFFORD THAT.

THEY'VE PUT IN A THREE AND IT'S MOVING TO SIX MONTHS BENEFITS CLIFF PROCESS WHERE A FAMILY BEGINS EARNING MORE MONEY AND THEY'RE THREATENED WITH LOSING THEIR CHILD CARE SUBSIDY, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A WEAKENING OFF PROCESS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY STABLE.

AND THEN $100,000 MATCHING GRANTS FOR EMPLOYERS WHO WANT TOP CHILD CARE CENTERS OR COUNTIES THAT ARE CONSIDERED CHILD CARE DESERTS.

THEY WANT TO OPEN CHILD CARE CENTERS.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE COULD LOOK AT CONTINUING PAST 20UR 24.

SENATOR CARROLL IS THE CHAIRMAN OF OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD TASK FORCE THAT'S CONVENING IN THIS INTERIM.

IN ADDITION TO THINK ABOUT HOW IS HOUSE FILL BILL 499 WORKING, HOW CAN WE EXPAND ON IT, WE HAVE THE BENEFIT TWO YEARS OF DATA ON THE ARPAIO FUNDING FROM THE DIVISION OF CHILD CARE TO SEE APRIL FUNDING IS ON TEE WHAT ARE THOSE EFFECTIVE PATHWAYS THAT WE CAN USE GOING FORWARD.

>> I DO WANT TO ASK YOU, DR. VANOVER, BUT ENTS BENEFITS TASK FORCE.

YOU'RE TESTIFYING ON THAT TOMORROW?

>> WEDNESDAY.

>> MAKE A TIGHTER CORRELATION FOR THAT AND WHAT THAT ACTUALLY MEANS.

>> WITH THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THOSE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS THAT ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, AND THE STATE HAS VERY SPECIFIC WAYS THAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND MOST.

ONE PART OF THAT IS TWELVE MODELS ELIGIBILITY.

SO ONCE SOMEBODY QUALIFIES FOR THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THEY HAVE 12 MONTHS UNTIL THEIR NEXT REEVALUATION AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IF THEY'RE THISY QUALIFY BASED ON INCOME LEVEL.

TO GO THAT 12 MONTH VISIT AND IF YOU NO LONGER QUALIFY BECAUSE OF FUNDS, THAT CAN BE A BIG SHOCK UP.

WANT FROM MAYBE YOU PAID A $35 COIF A PER WEEK FOR AN INFANT SO THAT WOULD BE $140 FOR INFANT CARE.

YOU LOSE YOUR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE THEN IT GOES UP TO $200 FOR.

AND YOU WENT FROM PAYING $140 TO $800, AN EXTRA $660.

YOU HAVE A BIG ADJUSTMENT TO YOUR BUDGET AND YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, OH, MY GOODNESSES, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO COVER THIS?

THE TRANSITION PROGRAM HA WAS IMPLEMENTED WAS A WAY TO HELP WEAN DOWN FROM GOING TO THAT LITTLE COPAY TO THE FULL AMOUNT.

IT STARTED OFF AT A THREE MONTH TIME PERIOD WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE THREE MONTHS AT 50%.

IT'S GOING TO A SIX-MONTH NOW TRANSITION.

BUT STILL AT THE END OF A SEVEN-MONTH TIME PERIOD, YOU GO FROM $140 A MONTH TO $800 AND THAT IS A BIG ADJUSTMENT.

OF COURSE, THE GOAL OF THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING AND NEED CHILD CARE.

AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TARGETED AT OUR LOWER INCOME FAMILIES, OUR FAMILIES THAT NEED MORE SUPPORT, BUT HONESTLY OUR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES CAN STRUGGLE JUST AS MUCH.

I KNOW THAT WHEN WE HAD AN INFANT AND A TODDLER AT NIGH HOUSE -- WE HAVE TWO BOYS -- IN CHILD CARE AT THE SAME TIME IT WAS $18,000 A YEAR AND YOU'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT TAXES OR ANYTHING.

THAT'S A FLAT CASH RATE.

AND SO YOU THINK THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVE A HARD TIME ALL OF A SUDDEN REARRANGING THEIR BUDGET.

FOR INFANT PARENTS WHEN YOU HAVE NEVER PAID CHILD CARE BEFORE AND ALL OF A SUD A NEW BABY, YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GET $800 PER MONTH PLUS OF YOU HAVE A NEW BABY TO PROVIDE FOR, SO WE DO SEE THIS AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME FOR FAMILIES.

A LOT OF TIME IT'S THE DECISION.

MAYBE I'M WORKING FULL-TIME AND I'M ABLE TO PAY THAT $800 A MONTH BUT I'M ONLY BRINGING HOME $200 A MONTH AFTER THAT.

IS IT WORTH IT TO GET THAT $200 AND TO BE APART FROM MY CHILD THAT WHOLE TIME AND ONLY BRING HEMA THE 200.

MAYBE ISLAND WORKING TO GET MY HEALTH INSURANCE.

MAYBE I'M PAYING ALL MY MONEY TO CHILD CARE BUT I HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE WITH MY JOB OR MAYBE AS A MOM I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE MY FIELD AND IF I STEP AWAY FOR SIX YEARS, WHEN I COME BACK I WILL HAVE LOST THE GOOD JOB THAT I HAVE AND OF TO REENTER THE WORKFORCE AT A LOWER PLACE, AND SO THERE ARE LOTS OF DECISIONS FAMILIES HAVE TO MAKE, AND THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IS THERE TO HEM HELP A VERY VULNERABLE GROUP WAS, BUT THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY GROUP OF PARENTS WHO STRUGGLE TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR CHILD CARE.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE TWO CHILDREN OR MORE, IT BECOMES SO OVERWHELMING TO PAY THE COST OF CHILD CARE.

>> SO THIS TASK FORCE THAT YOU ARE CHAIR, CO-CHAIR OF, ARE YOU ALL EXAMINING THESE ISSUES AND HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS READER AT THIS PARTICULAR JUNCTURE?

>> WE ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT EVERY ASPECT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BEFORE IT'S OVER, AND THIS TASK FORCE MAY ACCIDENT OVER EXTENT INTO NEXT INTERIM.

WE HAVE SO MUCH TO COVER.

DR. VANOVER CAME IN AND JUST DID A REVIEW OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE STATE.

WE HAD THE CHAMBER COME IN WITH TOYOTA AND TALK ABOUT THAT MODEL.

THIS WEEK WE'LL BE HEARING FROM VARIOUS TYPES OF PROVIDERS IN THE INDUSTRY.

WE'LL COME IN IN AND KIND OF COVER THE ISSUES AND STRUGGLES THEY HAVE.

WE LOOK TO GET PROVIDERS FROM OTHER STATES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM OTHER STATES TO COME IN AND LOOK AT MODELS, WHAT'S WORKING IN OTHER STATES AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THAT, BUT THE IDEA, ONCE ALL OF THIS IS COMPLETE, IS TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT COVERS EVERY ASPECT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT FROM WORKFORCE WHO PAY FOR THE STAFF, QUALITY, SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT A PROVIDER CAN KEEP THEIR BUSINESS GOING.

AND I TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE, AND I SAY THIS OFTEN, WE ARE A LARGE PROVIDER AT EASTERSEALS WEST KÀ, 120 KIDS MAYBE.

IF WE HAD TO RELAY ON THE INCOME FROM OUR HARLEY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER TO SURVIVE, TO COVER ITSELF, WE WOULD HAVE CLOSED A LONG TIME AGO.

THE MODEL SIMPLY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND IT IS TIME FOR THE STATE TO STEP IN, AND WHETHER IT BE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, LOOKING TO BUSINESS, ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE ARE FORWARD AS THE WORKFORCE NUMBERS REMAIN.

LOW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THIS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE A CHOICE AT THIS POINT.

>> WELL, YOU RUN A NON-PROFIT BOUGHT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW IT'S A VERY THIN PROFIT MARGIN FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN THE PROFIT MAKING ENDS OF THIS.

SAME AMOUNT OF LIGHTS YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOR THREE CHILDREN OR 25, RIGHT?

I ASKED MS. IRBY THIS AS WELL.

TOYOTA IS A LARGE COMPANY, BUT IF WE'RE TRYING TO MAYBE DESCALE THIS FOR COMPANIES THAT ARE MUCH SMALLER IN TERMS OF THEIR REVENUE AND THEIR BREADTH, I MEAN, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THEY COULD LEARN FROM THE TOYOTA EXPERIENCE OR IS THE TOYOTA EXPERIENCE ONE THAT IS SUCH OUT OF REACH FOR WHAT MAYBE SMALLER BUSINESSES COULD EVEN A STAIN?

>> IT'S FUNNY, I'M LIVING TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE AND IT'S ALL ABOUT OPTIONS AND HOW YOU SET IT UP.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDING THINGS FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE MODEL THAT WE HAVE, WE HAVE 14 FACILITIES, 14 MANUFACTURING PLANTS, BUT NOT ALL THE MANUFACTURING PLANTS HAVE AN ON-SITE DAYCARE, SO IT'S A BIG INVESTMENT TO HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR THERE, SO WE'VE PARTNERED WITH LOCAL PROVIDERS, SO THAT'S AN OPTION WE HAVE.

IT MIGHT NOT MAKE SENSE FOR SOMEONE TO STAINED BRICK AND MORTAR.

IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND YOU SCANT JUST DO THIS AT THE DROP OF A HAT.

HAVING THE OPTIONS AND THE FLEXIBILITY, ARE ARE PARTNERING WITH SOME OF THESE SMALLER IN-HOME AND HAVING A PIPELINE TO A LARGER FACILITY, PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS HAVING WAIT LIST.

, TOO, A MOM GETS PREGNANT, THE FIRST THING SHE DOES IS PUT HER NAME ON FIVE WAIT LISTS.

THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENS UP IS WHERE THE BABY IS GOING TO TO GO.

OUR MISSISSIPPI PLANT STARTING A NEW DAYCARE BUT IN PLANO WHERE OUR HEADQUARTERS ARE, THERE ARE SO MANY DAYCARE FACILITIES THERE THAT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR TO US OWN OUR OWN, OPERATE OUR OWN, SO WE HAVE A PREFERABLE TO SOME OF THE DIFFERENT ONES THAT ARE THERE AS WELL.

SO IT'S ALL ABOUT REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF YOUR WORK HORSERS FORCE IS.

DO YOU HAVE OLDER WORKERS?

ARE YOU STARTING TO SEE YOUNGER PEOPLE COME IN AND DOING FORECASTING ABOUT WHAT DO WE THINK OUR WORKERS ARE GOING TO NEED AND BEING ALE TO STALE UP AND DOWN BASED ON THE DEMOGRAPHICS AROUND.

>> YOU MR. AULL.

>> EXACTLY LYDIA JUST MENTIONED IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING OH WITH EMPLOYERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

RECENT THE CHAMBER RELEASED RESOURCES THAT EMPLOYERS OF ALL DIFFERENT TYPES AND SIZES CAN UTILIZED IN EXPLORING THE CHILD CARE CHALLENGES OF THEIR WORKERS.

THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT OUT THERE THAT A LOT WORKERS DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

WE MENTIONED THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, A LOT OF EMPLOYERS DON'T HAVE AWARENESS OF THAT PROGRAM.

HOUSE BILL 49MAN IS SOMETHING ELSE WE ARE BUILDING AWARENESS OF.

THERE ARE NUMEROUS STATE AND FEDERAL STATE TAX ASSISTANCE THAT ARE SOMEWHAT UNDERUTILIZED AT THIS POINT.

ONE OF THINGS THE CHAMBER DID WAS PACKAGED THAT TOGETHER IN A RESOURCE DOCUMENT AND DISSEMINATING THAT.

WE ARE DOING A WEBINAR ON THAT TOMORROW MORNING SO EMPLOYERS CAN LEARN OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM LEVERAGE TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THE SPACE.

ONE OF THEM WE MENTION IS A SURVEY TEMPLATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO AS A EMPLOYER IF YOU'RE INTEREST IN ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES IS GAUGE WHAT THE NEED IS WITHIN YOUR WORKFORCE, AND SO WE PUT TOGETHER A SURVEY TEMPLATE THAT EMPLOYERS CAN UTILIZE TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS TONER EMPLOYEES AND FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY DO MY WORKERS NEED AND WHAT OF THE AVAILABLE PROGRAMS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST MIDE WORK BEST FOR THEM.

BECAUSE WE ARE SEEING A WHOLE OF LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS OUT THERE IN TERMS OF HOW EMPLOYERS ARE TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

WITH A TALKING WITH A EMPLOYER IN EASTERN KENTUCKY JUST A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHO WERE STRUGGLING WITH NON-TRADITION A SHIFTS.

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYERS, IS FINDING NONTRADITIONAL SHIFTS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY DID WAS PARDONED WITH A LOCAL PROVIDER IS ESSENTIALLY SPONSORED A NUMBER OF SLOTS TO COVER THE COST OF MAKING THOSE SERVICES AVAILABLE AT A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD.

IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR THEM TO DO THAT.

A LOT OF TIMES THAT DOES INVOLVE SOME FINANCIAL LOSS BUT THEY MAKE UP FOR THAT IN I EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT.

THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF OPTIONS AND I THINK A LOT OF EMPLOYERS HAVE TO THINK CREATIVE.

>> I'M THINKING ABOUT THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT FOR TOYOTA.

THAT MIGHT BE A TOUGH SHIFT TO FILL AND TO RETAIN.

>> IT IS.

IT'S A TOUGH SHIFT, BUT KNOWING THAT WE DO HAVE THAT OPTION THERE, I VISITED THE CENTER JUST RECENTLY.

THEY'RE GEARING UP FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL AND KNOWING THAT YOUR KID CAN GET ON THE BUS, THEY DROP YOU OFF AT THE CHILD CARE CENTER, THEY HOPE WITH YOU HOMEWORK, FEED YOU, YOU HAVE YOUR OWN SHOWER AND BED, YOU GO TO SLEEP.

WHEN YOUR PARENTS GO HOME YOU GO WITH THEM THERE.

THAT'S A WONDERFUL BENEFIT AND HELPS PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WORK THAT GRAVEYARD SHIFT.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, DR. ABOUT YOURING CHILD CARE OPTIONS.

WHAT HAVE WE NOT DISCUSSED THAT YOU EVER PENNED?

>> WELL, THERE IS EMPLOYEE ON-SITE, AND I THEN, AS CHARLES SAID, THERE'S SOME DIFFERENT MODELS.

A LOT OF TIMES WE LOOK AT LIKE SMALL TO MIDRANGE BUSINESSES AND SAY, OKAY, THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE CAN HAVE ON-SITE CHILD CARE.

I WORK IN AN INSURANCE COMPANY WITH 15 PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW FIVE OF THEM NEED CHILD CARE.

WHAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IS PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, AND IN KENTUCKY FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES ARE WE NEED MORE.

>> AND THEY'RE LICENSED AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> THEY ARE LICENSED BY THE STATE.

THEY HAVE A CERTIFICATION THAT THEY RECEIVE.

SO THEY ARE INSPECTED.

BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE IN PLACE.

THEY REALLY THRIVE IN WESTERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY AREAS AND RURAL AREAS BECAUSE CENTERS REALLY CAN'T GET -- BECAUSE EVERYBODY'S SPACED FARTHER APART IN EASTERN KENTUCKY, FOR EXAMPLE.

20 FAMILIES AREN'T GOING TO ALL DRIVE TO A CENTER, AND THEN IF THEY DON'T ACHIEVE FULL ENROLLMENT, THEY COULD HAVE TO CLOSE, BUT IF YOU HAVE A HELM FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME WHERE THREE TO FOUR FAMILIES MIGHT BE UTILIZING, THEY ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADAPTS THEIR HOURS.

THEY HAVE MORE NONTRADITIONAL HOURS THAN WE SEE IN LARGE CENTERS, FOR EXAMPLE, AT TOYOTA I USED TO BE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE TOYOTA CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER, AND IT'S A HUGE BENEFIT THAT HAVE THAT SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT THAT FAMILIES DESIRE TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR OWN BED IF THERE'S ANYWAY POSSIBLE.

SO YOU HAVE CHILDREN THERE THAT HAVE BOTH PARENTS WORKING AT NIGHT OR SINGLE PARENTS, AND THAT IS SUCH A NEEDED OPTION FOR THEM.

BUT THEN OTHER FAMILIES ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER CRAZY COMBINATIONS BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T WANT THEIR CHILD TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE NOT IN A HOMEY ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT'S SOMEPLACE THAT WE SEE OUR FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME STEPPING UP.

WE ALSO HAVE -- WE'VE TRIED TO PILOT SOME PROGRAMS, PARTICULARLY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WHERE MAYBE THREE OR FOUR FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES WORK IN A SYMBIOTIC WITH A MEDIUM BUSINESS, AND THEN THAT BUSINESS WILL RECOMMEND THOSE PROGRAMS, MAYBE OFFSET THE COST BY 5%, 10%, AND THEN THE CENTER HAS CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT OR THE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES HAVE CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT, DON'T HAVE TO MARKET, AND SO EVERYBODY GETS A GOOD SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT.

THERE ARE OTHER WAYS KNOW, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IF YOU GO TO THEIR WORK LIFE DEPARTMENT, THEY WILL IN THEIR LIST OF BENEFITS THEY HAVE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS LISTED IN THERE THAT THEY MIGHT AM ARE, AND THOSE PLACES MIGHT GIVE A DISCOUNT OR PRIORITY ENROLLMENT TO UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY EMPLOYEES, AND THAT'S, LIKE SHE SAID WHEN YOU'RE WAITING FOR AN INFANT SLOT ON FIVE DIFFERENT WAIT LISTS, JUST PRIORITY ALONE CAN BE A EYJAFJALLAJOKUL PERK AND WAY THAT BUSINESSES CAN WORK TOGETHER.

BUT OUR TWO MAJOR CENTERS ARE GOING TO BE CENTER-BASED CARE AND FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES.

WE JUST SEE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT BUSINESSES MIGHT PARTNER WITH THEM TO GET THE TYPE OF CHILD CARE THEY NEED BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY CAN HAVE A FACILITY TO BE LINS FORWARDS 200 OR 250 CHILDREN AND YOU BE COULD NEVER FILL THAT UP BASED THE AREA.

BUT SMALLER FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES CAN HAVE AN APPEAL WITH NONTRADITIONAL HOURS, WEEKEND, NIGHTTIME, REALLY FOR A LOT OF OUR RETAIL FAMILIES AND HOSPITABLE FAMILIES, THEY NEED SOME OF THAT SECOND AND THIRD SHIFT WHERE 9:00 TO 5:00 JOBS, THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

THEY JUST ENROLL IN A CENTER THAT IS OPEN AT 6:00 M'M AB CLOSES AT 6:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND THEY'RE GOOD AND EVEN WITH OUR HOSPITALS WE SEE THAT A LOT TOO.

THE COMPANY THAT RUNS TOYOTA'S PROGRAM HAS A LOT OF HOSPITAL-BASED PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

EVEN JOHNS HOPKINS OR PLACES WHERE YOU KNOW THAT FAMILIES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK, IF YOU'RE SURGEON AND YOU HAVE A 15-HOUR SURGERY, NEWER GOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP, I NEED TO GO GET MY CHILD OUT OF CHILD CARE NOW, AND THE HOSPITALS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY WERE THE FIRST TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT EMPLOYEE-BASED CHILD CARE MIGHT BE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HOSPITALS SAYING, WOW, I NEVER -- WE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

WE COULD REALLY USE EMPLOYEE-BASED CHILD CARE BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO KNOW HOW MANY OF YOUR STAFF ARE IN THAT AGE WHERE THEY HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN OR IF THEY HAVE YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN.

IF A LOT OF OUR STAFF ARE PAST THAT, THEN YOU COULD PUT IN A LOT OF INVESTMENT ON A FACILITY THAT MIGHT NOT GET ITS RETURN.

NOW, SENATOR CARROLL DID SAY HE IS A NON-PROFIT AND THAT HAS A PROGRAM IS REALLY SUPPORTED BY OTHER MEANS TO STAY OPEN.

HONESTLY, THE PARTNER WITH TOYOTA IS A FOR-PROFIT AND I CAN TELL THAT YOU TOYOTA IS NOT MAKING MONEY ON HAVING THEIR CHILD CARE.

THEY ARE DOING IT BECAUSE IT IS A BENEFIT TO THEIR STAFF THAT THEY WANT TO OFFER.

NO MATTER HOW YOU GET INTO CHILD CARE, WHETHER IT'S NON-PROFIT, FOR-PROFIT, FAITH-BASED, A MIXED MODEL DELIVERY, THERE'S NOT A GAIN, BUT THERE IS -- FINANCIAL GAIN.

THERE'S A HUGE GAIN FOR YOUR STAFF.

THERE'S A HUGE GAIN FOR THE FAMILIES.

BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF OUTPIECE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS IN KENTUCKY THEY HAVE ANOTHER MECHANISM OF FUNDING OUTSIDE THE PARENTS.

EITHER THEY HAVE PARDONED WITH THE HOSPITAL OR THEIR AD HEAD START SITE AND THEY CAN GET SOME HEAD START FUNDS OR THEY HAVE PARDONED WITH A BUSINESS AND THEY CAN HAVE THE BUSINESS OFFSET IT OR HAVE PARTICIPATED WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT OR COLLEGE AND THEY PUT MONEY IN.

BUT THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE JUST BASED OFF OF PARENT FUNDS AND PARENT SUBSIDY, THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE THE LEAST STABLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH INCOME TO REALLY COVER WHAT THEY HAVE TO SPEND ON THEIR STAFF, AND THEIR STAFF IS BY FAR THE BIGGEST EXPENSE AND THE MOST VALUABLE THING THAT THEY OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE.

>> SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GOOD IDEAS, RIGHT, AND GOOD POLICY THAT'S GOING TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF JOBS, CENTERS AND FAMILIES IN SOME CASES, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

ONE DAY KENTUCKY COULD HAVE HIGH QUALITY FULL-DAY PUBLIC-FUNDED CHILD CARE OPTIONS FOR EVERY KID.

WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC PRESCHOOL.

THIS CAN STEWART WITH A COMBINATION OF HEAD START STARTED, PRIVATE AND FAITH-BASED CHILD CARE CENTERS, THE FAMILY CARE HOMES.

THERE'S A RIGHT FIT FOR EVERY FAMILY IF WE CAN SUPPORT THE SECTOR IN TAMPA BAY IT IS AVAILABLE.

>> HOW MUCH WOULD THAT COST THE STATE?

I HAVE.

>> >> HAVE I'VE GOT A PRICE TAG OF $300 MILLION.

WE'RE IN OUR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW OF HAVING A $1 BILLION SURPLUS.

$1BILLION SURPLUS TWO YEARS IN A ROW.

I THINK WE CAN AFFORD $300 MILLION.

>> SOME OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE FEDERAL INFLUX OF CASH, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> WE'RE LOWER TECH INCOME TAX TO MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN SO WE NEED TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP OUR FAMILIES.

THERE'S GROWING APPLICABLE SUPPORT TO SUPPORT THE CHILD -- POLITICAL SUPPORT TO SUPPORT BUT THERE'S MORE SYBIL SUPPORT AT THIS MOMENT, AND I EVER A HUNCH THAT'S BECAUSE IN GENERAL PUBLIC THERE ARE MORE PEM, MORE PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN, THERE'S MORE SINGLE PEOPLE, THERE'S MORE RENTERS, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR, THEIRS THERE'S MORE PEOPLE WITH HIGH DEBT LOADS, AND SO IFLESS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR SOMEBODY THEY NEED TO LET THEIR LEGISLATORS TELL YOUR STORY.

DON'T JUST TELL THEM THEY NEED EXPANDED INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE WE HAVE WORKED WOULD HAVE NOT FACED THIS ISSUE MAYBE NEVER TO THE SEVERITY BUT THEY HAVEN'T FACED THIS ISSUE IN 20, THE 30, 40 YEARS OR EVER.

SO IT'S TIME FOR PEOPLE TO STOP THINKING IF I WANT CAN'T FIED FIND ARE ON AFFORD CHILD CARE PROBLEM, IT'S NOT A PERSONAL PROBLEM OR A FAILING.

IT'S A SYSTEMIC THEIR AFFECTS US ALL.

IT IS TIME TO START GETTING LOUD ABOUT IT.

>> SO ARE REPUBLICANS IN THE MOOD AND HAVE THE APPLICABLE WILL TO DO WHAT REPRESENTATIVE RAYMOND IS SUGGESTING?

>> I THINK SO.

AND I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT, FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW WITH THE SENATE MAJORITY CAUCUS, IS THE BLENDED MODEL AND USING ALL THE DELIVERY MODELS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AND I THINK AS FAR AS THE SENATE GOES, WE'RE READY TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT.

>> $300 MILLION?

IS THAT THE KIND OF INVESTMENT YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE?

I HAVE HEARD THAT FIGURE.

I KNOW THAT THE CAB MET IS PUTTING SOME NUPTIAL TOGETHER NOW BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO TO SUSTAIN THE EFFORTS WE HAVE MADE NOW AND WE HOPE TO HAVE SECRETARY FREELANDER AND STAFF PRESENT AT THE TASK FORCE AT SOME POINT.

BUT THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THIS THAT THE FUNDN=ING AND YOU HAVE TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL LEVELS SUCCEED AT EQUAL MEASURE THE ONLY ABLE TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY SERVICES.

AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN HAD THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PARTS OF THE STATE THAT HAVE ZERO CHILD CARE, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THOSE AREAS WITHIN THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT TO MAYBE CREATE A NEW TYPE OF CENTER JUST TO GET IT STARTED, JUST TO PROVIDE THE BASICS, AND THEN START WORKING ON THEIR QUALITY.

ADDED SUPPORT THAT WILL BE NEEDED TO SELL THEM THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT OPENING CENTERS, TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN SUSTAIN, THEY CAN FEED THEIR FAMILIES, AND SO -- AND PROVIDE THE TRAINING IN THAT AREA THAT IS NEEDED AND WHATEVER FINANCIAL SUPPORT MIGHT BE THERE, SO IT IS A DAUNTING TASK TO TRY TO BALANCE ALL THESE NEEDS.

AND THAT'S WHY WE FELT LIKE AND HAD SUPPORT FROM LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE SENATE, REALLY NO PUSHBACK ALL THE TO DO THIS TASK FORCE, TO STEP BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS SO WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS, THEY'RE EDUCATED DECISIONS.

AND WE CAN GET SOME IDEA WHERE WE NEED TO INVEST AND WHAT AMOUNTS WE NEED TO INVEST IN TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED, GET THIS STATE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT WILL BE PROPOSED IN THE '23 SESSION WHICH IS NOT A BUDGET YEAR?

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT LIKE YOU SAID IS LOOKING A '24?

>> YES, IT WILL AND IT WILL BE AT THE NEXT BUDGET SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE TO DO SOMETHING AT THAT POINT BECAUSE THAT CLIFF IS COMING, AND YOU HAVE THESE CENTERS THAT ARE PAYING $13 AN HOUR TO MAXIMIZE THE FEDERAL FUNDS COMING IN, AND THEY'RE LIKELY NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PAY THAT, AND OUR BIGGEST FEAR IS WE'RE GOING TO END UP RIGHT BACK WHERE WE ARE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF STAFF LEAVING THEIR JOBS AND THEN THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO START DECLINING AGAIN, SO IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH TASK, AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HASTE AND GET SOME SOLUTIONS MADE AND BE PREPARED TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT BEFORE THESE FUNDS ROUNT SO WE DON'T -- ALL THE HELP HA WE HAVE GIVEN CREATE A HUGE DOWNTURN TIPPED OF IT.

>> WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THESE CHILD CARE DESERTS, AND SOMETIMES WE THINK THOSE ARE ISOLATED COMMUNITIES IN RURAL PARTS, EASTERN, MAYBE WESTERN PARTS BUT THAT'S PROBABLY NOT THE CASE.

>> NO, A CHILD CARRY DESERT REALLY IS DEFINED AS MORE CHILDREN THAN THERE ARE POTS FOR THOSE CHILDREN TO GO TO CHILD CARE.

AND WE USUALLY USE THE ONE TO THREE MARK SUSPECT.

SO FOR EVERY ONE SPOT IN CHILD CARE YOU WOULD HAVE ONE TO THREE CHILDREN IN THAT AGE RANGE BECAUSE NOT EVERY CHILD GOES TO CHILD CARE.

WE STILL HAVE A FAIR AMOUNT OF PARENTS THAT STAY HOME WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE A ONE-TO-ONE IN ORDER TO COMMUNITY TO HAVE A LARGE AREA.

BUT ONCE YOU HAVE FOUR CHILDREN THAT -- AND THERE'S ONLY ONE SPOT AND PLACES IN KENTUCKY WE HAVE COUNTIES THAT HAVE NO CENTERS WHATSOEVER, AND SO THAT NUMBER GROWS, AND RIGHT NOW MORE THAN 50% OF THE COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY ARE IN A DESERT, AND SOME OF THEM ARE ON THE CUSP OF IT AND OTHERS ARE SIGNIFICANT.

THE OTHER THING YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT, SO JEFFERSON COUNTY AND FAYETTE COUNTY ARE NOT DESERTS BUT THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WITHIN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE DESERTS.

SO YOU MAY HAVE A LARGE COMMUNITY WITHIN LOUISVILLE THAT HAS MINIMUM CHILD CARE AND A FAMILY MAY HAVE TO DRIVE COMPLETELY TO THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN IN ORDER TO CHILD CHILD CARE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN TAKEN UP BY THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THAT THAT COMMUNITY.

SO THERE REALLY ARE SUB COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS THE LARGER SCHEME, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT A MAP OF THE STATE NOW, THE MAP THAT WE HAVE AT KYA HAS DARKER COLORED WILL YOU BLUE FOR THE AREAS THAT ARE DESERTS AND THE BLUE IS GETTING DARKER AND DARKER EVERY TIME WE LOOK AT THE MAP BECAUSE THERE ARE AREAS THAT THERE ARE JUST MORE YOUNG CHILDREN THAN THERE ARE SPOTS AVAILABLE.

>> IS THE CHAMBER ASSESSING THAT PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE HAVE CHILD CARE DESERTS AND JUST NOT AVAILABILITY AT ALL?

>> YEAH, CAPACITY AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S ARGUABLY ONE OF THE GREATEST CHALLENGES.

WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY A REALLY FREQUENT BASIS BUT WE CAN MAKE CHILD CARE AS AFFORDABLE AS WE WANT TO, BUT IF NONE EXISTS, IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE WIDE CAPACITY ALL THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THAT'S GOT TO BE A REALLY KEY ELEMENT OF THE SITUATION.

I WOULD ADD TO THAT THAT WE SHE DIDN'T JUST THINK ABOUT GEOGRAPHICALLY.

AGAIN GOING BACK TO THE SHIFT ISSUE THAT WE BROUGHT UP, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HEAR ABOUT MORE AND MORE, THAT CAN BE A CHILD CARE DESERT IN ITSELF, TOO, WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S GOOD QUALITY WITHIN ALL THESE DIFFERENT PLACES WHERE YOU MIGHT HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF PROVIDERS ABOUT THE NONE OF THEM ARE PROVIDING QUALITY CHILD CARE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S ACCESSIBLE.

SENATOR CARROLL SAID ONE OF THE KEYS IS MAKING THIS MORE OF A FUNCTIONAL BUSINESS MOL MODEL IS BECAUSE KNOWN HAS IDENTIFIED WAY TO MAKE IT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE IN THOSE AREAS.

AND SO THE MORE THAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THOSE THINGS SUSTAINABLE I THINK YOU'LL START TO SEE PEOPLE STEP UP AND FILL THOSE GAPS AND PROVIDE SERVICES IN PLACES THAT WE NEED THEM.

>> IN THE TWO MINUTES WE HAVE REMAINING, I'LL GIVE YOU SOME TIME TO GIVE SOME PARTING WORDS ABOUT WHERE YOU THINK THIS CONVERSATION NEEDS TO GO NEXT AND WHAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO HELP SMALLER COMPANIES OR COMPANIES THAT ARE THE SIZE OF TOYOTA PROVIDE CHILD CARE.

>> I THINK SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT WE'RE HEARING TODAY ARE SIMILAR TO SOME TRENDS WE HAVE SEEN IN EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION OVER THE YEARS.

AND I THINK IF WE CAN LOOK AT SOME OF THE WINS THAT WE HAVE HAD THERE, WE CAN PROBABLY, AS WE CALL CUT AND PASTE SOME OF THOSE SUCCESSES TO THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY AS WELL.

ALSO, BEING SENIOR CONSIDERATE, AS LIKE WE SAID, DAYCARE DESERTS, HAVING THAT FLEXIBILITY.

LOOKING AT ALL THE OPTIONS NOT JUST THINKING ONE SIZE FITS ALL AND BEING WILLING TO PICK AND CHOOSE AND MIX DIFFERENT THINGS TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH OPTIMAL BECAUSE LIKE I SAID ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL.

MAYBE EVEN BEING ABLE TO RESOURCE SOME OF THOSE SMALLER COMPANIES, HAVING THEM COME AND STUDY US.

WE CAN WORK WITH THEM AND GIVE THEM SOME IDEAS ON WHAT THEY CAN DO.

>> CERTAINLY WE WILL KEEP OUR EYES ON THOSE BENEFIT CLIFFS TASK FORCE AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE AND THE EARLY CHILDHOOD TASK FORCE AS WELL THAT'S GOING ON IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND SEE WHAT COMES OF THAT.

IN 2024, SO TOM SOME TIME TO GET SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TOGETHER AS WE'LL KEEP OUR EYES OPEN FOR THAT.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE MINUTE REMAINING I WON'T ASK ANY QUESTION FOR THIS PARTICULAR POINT.

BUT WE WILL KEEP OUR EYES ON THIS ISSUE AS WE HAVE IN THIS VENUE AND OTHERS.

Y.

WE ARE KEEPING OUR EYE OUT FOR A SPECIAL SESSION, AND SO IF THAT HAPPENS, OF COURSE, YOU BE COUNT ON KET TO BE HERE FOR THAT AND WE'LL BRING THAT YOU COVERAGE SHOULD IT OCCUR.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL TALK ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING, HOW THE RECOVERY PROCESS IS GOING, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES STRICKEN BY THOSE FLOODS REBUILD, AND IF THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT PLAN AS WELL.

SO MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN NEXT MONDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 EASTERN EASTERN, 7:00 CENTRAL ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US TOMORROW IT'S 6:30 EVEN, 5:30 CENTRAL FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

WE'VE GOT GREAT STORIES ABOUT FLOODING EFFORTS AND REBUILDING AND BUILDING COMMUNITY AGAIN THERE.

SO I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION."

THANK YOU FOR JING ME TONIGHT.