For many years, Child Care Aware® of Missouri has maintained supply and demand data for child care and early learning programs in Missouri. Policymakers, government agencies, funding agencies, child care programs, and parents regularly use our data:
- to guide decision-making and shape programs to improve child care quality in Missouri
- to better understand and tell the story of the current child care landscape
- to help parents find the right child care
However, we also recognize that many other factors influence child care besides basic supply and demand. Accessibility, defined as availability, proximity, cost, quality, etc., can be affected by many characteristics and differences that often exist from one county or ZIP code to the next. But understanding those differences can help target resources where they are most needed.
We’ve enhanced our county-level data with additional variables that we believe will give more insight into potential inequities, while further serving as an important conversation starter about how to improve child care access for everyone. Those variables include:
- Economic - such factors as income, income inequality, poverty level, cost-burden, and social supports can significantly affect how well people live. These factors affect the ability to make choices, afford child care and housing, accumulate savings, and manage stress.
- Social - social issues and opportunities people have are foundational to achieving a “good life”. Factors like child abuse/neglect, homelessness, children entering/reentering state custody, access to broadband, food insecurity, etc., provide an impactful view of life in Missouri communities and how these factors may or may not cushion a community in times of economic distress.
- Health - influenced by many factors, from the quality of medical care received to the availability of good jobs, clean water, and affordable housing. These health factors are influenced by programs and policies in place at the local, state, and federal levels.
- CCAMO data - variables from CCAMO that may help show engagement from child care providers and parents.
Collectively, we believe this information will provide a deeper understanding of what impacts child care accessibility and how child care impacts the economic situation of our communities. Across the state, there are meaningful differences in social and economic opportunities for residents in communities that have been cut off from investments or have experienced discrimination. Ultimately, these gaps can, and do, affect children.
For questions or more information please contact us at info@mochildcareaware.org.
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