Addressing rising child care costs is essential for fostering a more inclusive and representative democracy

Rising childcare costs in Ohio – comparable to college tuition – are straining the state’s system, leading to economic challenges, with parents facing work disruptions or leaving jobs due to high expenses. This article from Crain’s Cleveland Business examines the challenges faced by childcare providers include staffing shortages and financial constraints; the importance of treating childcare as essential infrastructure; and how companies, like The J.M. Smucker Co., are showing the positive impact of prioritizing childcare benefits and the need for government to address the underlying challenges in the childcare system.