Community Development

Child Care Shortages Across East Central Minnesota

East Central Regional Development Commission recently did an in-depth analysis which revealed child care shortages range from 350 to 1500 ‘needed child care slots’ (openings) across the East Central Minnesota region indicating families have a lack of child care options. These child care shortages severely impact the local workforce making it hard for parents to gain and keep jobs. Businesses of all sizes are seeing the need as it is a constant issue to staff their departments to capacity.

To combat these challenges and identify potential solutions, each county in our region is working diligently to identify potential solutions that will assist in increasing child care options and slots for their communities, support existing providers, and encourage new child care start-ups. Please reach out to these community committees for information and/or support.

 

Child Care Strategic Supply Plan Committees

Chisago County: Nancy Hoffman     Nancy@chisagocounty.org/651.674.5664

Isanti County: Lowell Becker            LBecker616@aol.com

Kanabec County: Kirstin Faurie       K.Faurie@cityofmora.com/320.679.6357

Mille Lacs County: Dillon Hayes      Dillon.Hayes@millelacs.mn.gov/320.983.8349

Pine County: Lezlie Sauter                Lezlie.Sauter@co.pine.mn.us/320.591.0019

 

A full list of resources and business support can be found here:  Child Care Business Directory