NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Today in Newport News, leaders gathered to bring struggles surrounding childcare to light.
Childcare is Everybody's Business aimed to highlight the challenges parents face when pursuing careers clashes with a lack of childcare.
The discussion focused on finding solutions to improve access to affordable childcare and pushing for policy changes at the state and local levels.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, childcare is only affordable if a family spends no more than 7% of their income. If it costs more than that, it's considered too expensive.
Diana Umstead, the executive director of the nonprofit First Spark, said businesses, employers and policy leaders can work together to address this issue.
"Ever since the pandemic, we know that working parents -- 69% of them are women with children under the age of 6 -- still can not find childcare," Umstead said.
First Spark, the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula and the City of Newport News hosted the forum to discuss the importance of childcare access, and how if there isn't access, families simply can't function at work.
Organizations like the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula are working to bridge the gaps.
"Our vision is that every person, no matter their income, can take care of themselves, their families, and maybe help their neighbor," said Charvalla West, CEO of United Way. "Childcare is a significant component of being able to do that."
State Delegate Shelly Simonds was present and said one billion dollars has already been allocated to address childcare access and affordability.
The event also allowed guests and panelists to brainstorm other ideas to end the crisis.
"One of the solutions was for businesses to contract with those existing childcare programs; they wouldn't have the same level of liability, and those slots could be reserved for their employees' children," said Umstead.
Other options proposed emulating models used in other states that have already addressed childcare challenges.
Umstead says the goal is to create a childcare advisory council focused on this topic and encourage mayors to oversee that board.