Many child care providers are having a hard time filling positions, putting extra pressure on the workers they already have. The struggle for many families to find affordable child care is not unique to Central Texas – it's a problem statewide.
"Since the pandemic, that has been super hard. Now that everybody – I feel like everyone just kind of, you know, raised salaries and just everybody's trying to get workers," said Alejandra Gardner, director of House of Little Angels Learning Center."We try to also remain affordable so that our parents can feel like you're getting good quality care.
"Sometimes, it gets a little crazy. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh.' Like, 'I'm just trying to get through the book,'" Gloria said."At the same time, it's like, you know, they're interested. At least I have their interest." WorkForce Solutions offers wage stipends to boost child care workers' salaries with funding from the city of Austin and Travis County. "There's too much red tape," Gardner said."I would love to be able to offer that to my staff. I know they could use it, but I can't."
WorkForce Solutions used"American Rescue Plan Act" funds to help more workers get the stipend, going from 160 workers in 2022 to 444 in 2023. But those funds won't last. "When I get into office, the first thing I want to do, on the very first day, is I want to create a blue ribbon task force that will focus on child care. Because I want Austin to be the best city in America to raise a kid," Watson said the night he was elected.
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