What happens when you use public funding to pay for child care?

We've been just blown away by the success of the program.

A Utah county and city say in their case, a huge economic boost.

We're getting a 325% return on investment.

I'm Lauren Steinbrecher with PBS Utah.

A recently released report is showing how a revolutionary childcare subsidy scholarship that started as a pilot program in this community and turned into a nationwide model, is providing more than just financial relief for families.

Last year, we reported on the newly created program in Park City and Summit County, in which the city and county set aside funding to help residents and city and county employees pay for childcare.

The initial goal stabilized local families and the workforce, explains Michele Downard with Park City.

Our residents and workforce were having a really hard time trying to make ends meet.

They were going to have to make decisions of staying inside the city or exiting the workforce.

That was when the city council and the county council really decided to take action and jump in.

Now, two years in, the new impact report and parent survey compiled by Upwards, which administers the program, shows it only continues to grow.

Now serving more than 150 families.

And there's a waitlist.

We were excited to see, actually, a 30% increase in the number of families that were participating in the program.

In addition to easing financial stress, parents reported the subsidy gave them access to higher quality childcare, allowed them to work more hours, cut down on childcare related work absences, keep their job, even get a promotion.

We can see the program resonating with the residents and our workforce, which is really important.

Summit County Council Chair Canice Harte learned it's also resonating with the local economy.

In crunching the numbers, Upwards found the city and county's $1.5 million investment turned into a more than $6.5 million economic impact.

And so it really, honestly benefits the community as a whole.

There's an absolute correlation between this program and the financial success of the county.

Not to mention the success of the nearly 200 kids who Harte says now have a head start on early education.

This allows kids to thrive when they get into elementary school.

That means they're going to have a more productive lives and do better as a whole.

Harte wants to continue the program into a third year, and he wants to see local businesses join in the effort.

Almost half of the families surveyed work in the hospitality and tourism industry.

What I would like to see the county do is to get employers and other businesses, like our ski resorts, to really step up and contribute into this program and really take it on themselves.

And they'll have the numbers to show what they're doing is working.

It's really shown meaningful impact, not only economic but also social for families that need it the most.

To see our full piece on the child care program, learn how it works or how to apply.

Just head to our website, pbs.org/utahinsight or our PBS Utah YouTube page, and make sure you follow us on all our social channels.