Texas is currently facing a significant child care accessibility crisis, as highlighted in a recent policy brief by researchers at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. Steven Pedigo, a professor and director of the LBJ Urban Lab, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating, "Improving access to affordable, quality child care is essential for maintaining economic development and enhancing the well-being of our Texas communities."
The challenges in the Texas child care system are stark. The average cost for infant care in the state is $777 per month, a substantial burden for many families. Furthermore, Texas experienced the closure of 5,000 child care centers and licensed family homes between March 2020 and January 2023, resulting in a 27% decrease in child care programs compared to pre-pandemic levels. More than half of Texas counties are now considered child care deserts, with a severe lack of available licensed child care slots for the number of children in need.
The repercussions of inadequate child care extend beyond individual families, with the state facing an annual cost of $11.4 billion due to productivity and revenue losses. Additionally, child care workers in Texas earn poverty-level wages, making it difficult for them to afford child care for their own families.
To address these challenges, researchers have identified four key areas for policy advancements. These include the need for economic incentives such as better reimbursement rates and low-interest loans to support child care providers, a streamlined accreditation process to encourage high-quality care, employer child care assistance programs to help working parents, and cross-sectoral partnerships to develop innovative solutions at the local level.
The multifaceted nature of the child care crisis in Texas calls for coordinated efforts from all sectors and levels of government. By implementing targeted policy changes and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, Texas can work towards improving child care accessibility and quality for its residents.