In Yakima County, access to affordable child care is not just a family concern; it’s an economic issue. The shortage of affordable child care options has forced over 4,000 workers to leave the workforce in the greater Yakima area, causing significant effects on the local economy. Businesses are feeling the pressure, losing around $92 million each year as parents, especially younger ones, grapple with the difficult choice between work and caregiving.
Child care is essential not only for families but also for the economy. Child care services act as small but powerful economic engines. They employ child care workers and allow thousands of parents to remain employed.
For every child care provider, at least 10 families can enter the labor market. Increasing the availability of child care directly helps local businesses recruit and retain employees who need reliable care for their children.
To address this issue, the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) has launched the Childcare Business Accelerator Program. This initiative aims to enhance local child care services and stabilize the labor market.
Supported by U.S. Senator Patty Murray and federal grants, the program has provided vital resources to child care providers, helping them grow and succeed. Its effects go beyond the child care sector.
The YCDA’s program has worked with 72 local child care businesses, reaching 147 business owners and operators. The goal is to increase child care capacity and improve the business skills of those who care for the community’s youngest members.
Through 95 workshops and one-on-one sessions, child care providers received training in essential areas like digital marketing, financial literacy, and overall business management.
These workshops, offered in both English and Spanish, ensured that participants—80% of whom are BIPOC, bilingual, or prefer instruction in Spanish—had access to the necessary tools to expand their businesses.
YCDA collaborated with South Central Workforce, the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, and Educational Service District 105 to host three in-person conferences in both languages. These events attracted over 136 participants, allowing child care providers to network, share knowledge, and access additional resources, including assistance with city and county permits, state regulations, and growth planning.
The results have been impressive: 150 new child care spaces are being created, 15 child care jobs have been maintained or created, and providers have earned 426 continuing education Merit STARS credits.
As Yakima County continues to expand, supporting essential services like child care will be crucial for long-term economic success. Programs like the Childcare Business Accelerator increase child care availability, allowing more individuals to return to work. The YCDA is investing in the future of families and businesses, fostering a thriving and resilient community.
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