Many Ohio parents are struggling to afford child care despite working hard, often at multiple jobs. Unfortunately, in some areas, there are simply no child care options available.
According to a recent report by Groundwork Ohio, a child care advocacy group, the availability of child care is scarce and even when parents are able to secure it, the high cost can make it unaffordable.
Between April and May of this year, the Family Voices Project Report conducted a survey of 755 parents and caregivers who had at least one child under the age of six. These individuals represented 932 children from Ohio.
The study’s demographic comprised mostly women, accounting for 75% of the participants. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the families who took part in the survey (66%) self-identified as white. As for family structure, 75% of the respondents were from two-parent households. The study also revealed that the highest poverty level represented (43%) belonged to families living below 200% of the federal poverty line.
The study concentrated on policy pillars of early learning and child care, health care access and quality, early childhood trauma prevention, and economic stability by surveying the parents.
According to the research, child care subsidies play a vital role in supporting working families, but unfortunately, their availability is restricted.
According to a recent survey, 33% of Ohioans had trouble finding child care, while nearly 60% found their current child care arrangement to be unaffordable.
The study revealed that more than 50% of the participants who had not enrolled their children in child care stated that the cost of child care was the primary reason behind their decision.
According to the survey, an almost equal number of people acknowledged their dependence on the state’s Publicly Funded Child Care aid. However, 40% of those individuals faced difficulties in finding a suitable facility that accepted this assistance.
According to the study, the PFCC program has revealed issues, even for those who have qualified and applied for it. A significant percentage of survey participants who receive child care subsidies reported that their copayment was not affordable, with one in four participants facing this problem.
According to a recent survey, a staggering 24% of applicants to the PFCC program reported waiting for more than three months to begin receiving subsidies, assuming they were approved at all. This highlights a significant delay in the process, leaving many individuals and families struggling without the financial assistance they desperately need.
Struggles to arrange child care have resulted in many of the survey respondents having to alter their work schedules or reduce their working hours.
According to a recent study, almost all parents have a support system consisting of partners, friends, or parents. However, the study also revealed that one out of three parents experiences high levels of stress, and 65% of parents believe that they could use more resources and support for parenting.
As the study revealed, a considerable number of participants relied on public assistance programs as a crucial part of their parenting journey. Specifically, 27% of the participants were enrolled in Medicaid, 16% were a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and 13% were part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Central Ohio was the region with the largest representation of study participants, accounting for 26% of the total group. Northeast Ohio followed closely behind with 20%, while Appalachia and Southwest Ohio made up 18% and 15% respectively. Northwest Ohio had the smallest representation, comprising only 8% of the study participants.
Although most of the study’s participants belonged to two-parent households, those from single-parent households also took part and reported working multiple jobs to make both ends meet. In fact, they worked 10% more than their counterparts from two-parent households.
The study revealed that juggling multiple jobs while also struggling to secure reliable child care can have a detrimental impact on a child’s health. The effects of such a situation can be far-reaching and can cause significant disruptions in a child’s overall well-being.
According to the study, children from households with incomes ranging from 200% to 400% of the federal poverty line were found to be “least likely” to have access to a regular source of healthcare. It was also observed that despite having regular care, children from such households often miss their well-child visits due to factors such as a parent’s work schedule or the high cost of care.
According to the study, parents who have higher incomes, specifically above 400% FPL, encounter fewer issues when it comes to access to healthcare. However, despite this, 15% of them still reported difficulties in obtaining timely care for their sick child, while 18% reported challenges in accessing a specialist in a timely manner.
Advocates have raised concerns about the crisis facing child care costs, availability, and workforce, and it seems that the legislature has taken notice. Currently, there are several bills in the General Assembly, many of which are sponsored by GOP lawmakers and have been handed to committees. While lawmakers are on summer break and the bills won’t see further action until November, the Republican-led bills will have an easier chance of passing in the GOP supermajority legislature.
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