Senator Schupp to Host Child Care Town Hall

JEFFERSON CITY – State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, is hosting a Child Care Town Hall on Wed., Oct. 7, at the Overland Community Center, at 9225 Lackland Rd., in Overland, Mo.  The event will address such topics and concerns as: how to go about looking for child care; costs and expectations; licensed vs. unlicensed providers; education – what is beneficial; and what child care assistance is available.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the event, which begins at 7 p.m., and is planned to run until 8:30 p.m.

Senator Schupp will be joined by representatives from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), which inspects child care provider locations; as well as the Department of Social Services (DSS), which regulates child care providers.  Rounding out the panel of presenters will be St. Louis Crisis Nursery, a non-profit that cares for children during times of crisis to ensure their safety; and Child Care Aware Missouri, which ensures families have access to quality, affordable child care.

“I am very pleased to bring together an impressive group of experts who will provide advice and guidance for families balancing the dual role of providing for their families and caring for them,” said Sen. Schupp.  “While cost to access care is extremely expensive, the quality of the care and the safety of the children are of utmost concern as parents leave their children in the hands of those they must trust to take good care of them.”

According to the Center for American Progress, in most families, all of the adults work and fewer than one-in-three children have a full-time, stay-at-home parent.  The Center further notes that on average, families spend 7.8 percent of their monthly income on child care – 10.1 percent for families with children under age five.  That number is much more staggering for low-income families – those with monthly incomes less than $1,500 per month – who spend an average of 49.5 percent on childcare, 52.7 percent for families with children under age five.

“As a legislator who cares deeply about our children and middle and working class families, I continue to support legislation that ensures kids will be safe in all varieties of child care settings.  While there is much work to be done, I want to do all I can to help families in my district access the services that are available and find workable solutions that help ease their burdens.  To that end, I hope parents and caregivers in my district take advantage of the Child Care Town Hall and join us next Wednesday.”

For more information on Sen. Schupp’s legislation, visit her official Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/Schupp.