New Campaign Provides Affordable Childcare For Las Vegas Families
A new campaign in Nevada is in effect, and promises relief for families in Clark County.
Childcare can be very difficult to find in Southern Nevada. And even for those who do find somewhere to take their kids, the costs can be outrageous. There is a new campaign called the Nevada Child Care Fund that helps parents, providers and employers with childcare needs.
The challenges parents face when looking for childcare.
If are a working parent in Clark County with a minor child, chances are you’ve had some problems finding good childcare. Between 1990 and 2019, Nevada had the largest increase in children in the country. But our childcare system has not grown along with the population. Leaving many parents struggling to find limited care.
Furthermore, businesses that provide childcare are also struggling to find and retain employees. Simply because more parents must stay home and take care of their own kids. In addition to scarcity, cost is an ongoing issue for parents.
What it costs for licensed childcare in Nevada.
According to a recent study by the Children’s Cabinet, Nevada is one of the least-affordable states in the country for childcare. The cost to keep a 4-year old in a licensed facility ranges between $6,500 and $11,000 a year.
To help combat these costs, The Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services’ Child Care and Development Program, The Children’s Cabinet and the Las Vegas Urban League teamed up to create the Nevada Child Care Fund.
Parents can visit www.nevadachildcarefund.org to find providers, apply for subsidy programs, and more. And the eligibility criteria for these programs has loosened in the last year. So parents who applied before and were denied should apply again.
Childcare providers, as well as employers, can also visit www.nevadachildcarefund.org. There are funding resources and professional development opportunities available. Free tools to help run a business are offered, including website and marketing tools and free billing software.
Cristal Roldan, Resource and Referral Navigator for the Children’s Cabinet, was recently a guest on Talking Solutions. She spoke to Wendy about the new campaign as well as the current landscape of childcare in Nevada. Cristal gave details about the resources available, and spoke regarding the importance of quality childcare at a young age.
For prescreening or questions, call 702-473-9400 or 1-855-4UL-KIDS.
Original air date for this interview was July 30, 2023.
