Maquoketa, IA (May 1)- Lack of affordable child care, along with the lack of housing, are cited as the top two reasons why potential employees turn down job offers in Jackson County. With 7,300 workers retiring in Jackson County in the next 15 years, it is imperative that we address these concerns and put the employers in Jackson County in a position to be able to find qualified employees. The future of our county depends on us finding solutions to these challenges!
Jackson County Economic Alliance, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Jackson County, has contracted with First Children’s Finance (FCF) to complete a child care study. The two-part study will include a child care market analysis and a strategic plan for child care. The first part, the market study, will focus on research and analysis on: the needs of local families and children, the current supply of regulated child care, parents’ current and preferred child care choices, effects on employers caused by lack of child care, and child care providers’ challenges operating. The report will include the key findings of the research and analysis, including a child care gap analysis quantifying how many children likely need care versus the number of spaces available.
Please complete the surveys found in this link to provide your input as an employer, parent or child care provider. Your input will support the planning process and next steps.