Join City Club of Central Oregon on February 17 as they discuss and explore the structural, economic and regulatory barriers to creating more childcare options in Central Oregon.
A childcare desert is defined as a community where 33 percent (or less) of the county’s children have access to a regulated child-care slot. Central Oregon exceeds this definition. The data for Central Oregon shows us that children from 0-5 have 15 percent openings in Crook County, 22 percent for Deschutes County and 31 percent in Jefferson County. The numbers are astounding and unacceptable for a growing community of young families.
City Club’s panel will look at solutions currently implemented for both short- and long-term relief for a variety of different childcare models. This is an issue and conversation we need to address as a community. Central Oregon needs caring citizens to get involved to help in building solutions to care for the needs of our children. It’s time to find solutions to barriers limiting access to quality childcare.
“Unlike many large-scale problems we discuss at our forums, the childcare crisis has solutions that many people help make happen. While funding is critical, there are also structural, regulatory and cultural shifts we can make to provide more options for childcare in Central Oregon,” states Kim Gammond, executive director of City Club.
The forum will be held in person as well as livestreaming on City Club of Central Oregon’s YouTube Channel on Thursday, February 17.
Moderator:
- Zack Demars, Special Projects Reporter at The Bulletin
Panelists:
- Heather Rogen, Boulden Rogen Early Childhood Academy
- Karen Prow, NeighborImpact Child Care Resources Director
- Erika Spaet, ReVillage
- Kelly Sparks, OSU Cascades and Little Kits Early Learning & Child Care Center
This forum is brought to you by City Club in partnership with The Bulletin and sponsored by Pinnacle Architecture and supported by Sunwest Builders.
The Bulletin will be providing in-depth coverage leading up to the forum and partnering with City Club on a series of “Solutions Workshops” over the coming months. These workshops are limited attendance, where engaged citizens will discuss actionable items and have solution-based meetings on increasing child care across Central Oregon. If you are interested in attending and being a part of the solution, please register for the February 17 forum and receive more details.
Event Details:
- Event: Cracking Open the Childcare Crisis
- When: Thursday, February 17, 2022
- Time: 12-1pm
- Where: In Person at the Riverhouse Convention Center and streaming on YouTube
- Register here: growthzoneapp.com
