Oct. 27 — WILKES-BARRE — Challenges such as long waiting lists and rising costs for child care services in Northeast Pennsylvania and across the United States are forcing many working parents to choose between paying for child care, adjusting work, cutting expenses or leaving the workforce.

Jill Avery-Stoss, director of operations at The Institute, said a 2023 report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that 13 percent of children ages 5 and under live in families where someone has given up a place of work, changed jobs or turned down a job due to childcare conflicts.

Avery-Stoss said these barriers are more likely to affect women than men, often leading to missed opportunities for promotion. In the long run, Avery-Stoss said these result in lower retirement savings.

With these growing concerns in mind, Avery-Stoss said the Institute’s research team produced a study exploring regional demand for child care.

“The need for child care in NEPA is a bit unique because so much of our economy consists of shift work — people in health care, manufacturing, warehousing and even retail around the clock,” said Avery-Stoss . “Child care facilities are currently unable to meet this demand.”

Avery-Stoss said there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. Instead, many different players must work together and make adjustments where possible. These stakeholders include child care providers, employers, community organizations, higher education systems, philanthropic agencies, and government. Maternal Health and Family Services (MFHS), a key supporter of the research, is one of these stakeholders.

“At MFHS, we believe that access to child care for non-traditional work schedules is not just a convenience, it’s a necessity,” said MFHS President and CEO Maria Montoro Edwards. “By offering flexible childcare options, families are enabled to thrive in their careers while ensuring their children receive the quality care and support they deserve. We have adjusted our schedule so clients can access their WIC appointments before work or in the evening, and we believe this is an approach all organizations should take to limit barriers to care.”

Avery-Stoss said childcare challenges extend beyond the household level — affecting businesses as well.

“They even affect tax revenue,” Avery-Stoss said. “Businesses suffer lost productivity when lack of care prevents employees from going to work. They also report lost earnings from this as a result of employee turnover. The fiscal impact involves lost household and business income that would have contributed to government revenue.”

Avery-Stoss said the Bipartisan Policy Center produced an assessment of child care gaps covering 35 states, including Pennsylvania. Gaps occur when the supply of childcare providers cannot meet the demand.

Among the counties in the 8th Congressional District, Monroe County has the highest gap percentage (41.2%). It is followed by Luzerne County (40.2%).

This study was conducted in partnership with Maternal and Family Health Services, Inc. It was supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (US) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a funding plan. assistance award (number 90XP0598-01-00) totaling $2.15 million, half funded by ACF/HHS and half funded by non-governmental sources.

The content is that of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the official views of, or endorsement by, ACF/HHS or the US Government.

Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.