Officials say child care shortage means York ‘can’t grow’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The York County Development Corporation is demanding action after alarming research on a child care shortage in the area.

The executive director of YCDC, Lisa Hurley, is saying the city of York “can’t grow without more childcare facilities.”

SEE MORE: ‘If it’s not a crisis yet, we are headed there’: 350 York County kids waiting for child care

The Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska has been studying child care within the state and released alarming statistics.

The institute followed up with recommendations for change including increasing access to health care coverage for child care workers and providing resources to prevent burnout.

A potential fund is currently being looked at by York County officials to help child care providers who were forced to shut down due to COVID-19.

At this time, providers are accepting child care subsidies when a child is absent, but this doesn’t compensate for the center being shut down due to COVID outbreaks.

YCDC is currently asking for help from city officials and other committees to address the need within their community.