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Oklahoma lawmakers conduct third interim study on access to child care

Oklahoma lawmakers conduct third interim study on access to child care

The crisis is really nothing new for Oklahoma. Well, ABBY, and just this week there were three separate child care studies at the State Capitol. STATE REPRESENTATIVE AJ PITTMAN SAYS THAT ALONE SHOWS THE CRISIS HERE IN OKLAHOMA. LEGISLATORS AT THE STATE CAPITOL FOCUS ON THE LACK OF CHILD CARE. REPRESENTATIVE AJ PITTMAN LEADS THIS DISCUSSION. ONE SIZE FITS ALL WILL NOT WORK FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CONVERSATION BEFORE OUR LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE. WE REPORTED IN MAY THAT 11 HEAD START PROGRAMS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY HAVE CLOSED THEIR DOORS THIS YEAR. Now leaders are considering how we can address this problem. We work tirelessly every day to meet the child care needs of families. THEY SAY THE PROBLEM IS A LACK OF FUNDING AND LOW ENROLLMENT RATES. HOW DO WE FIND A SOLUTION FOR OKLAHOMA? A LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADER SAYS A WAY WILL BRING MORE SUPPORT SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS GIVEN DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE ARPA DOLLARS WERE A LIFELINE. WE HAVE RECEIVED THE ARPA DOLLARS AND NEED CONTINUOUS FINANCING FOR ALL OUR PROVIDERS SO WE CAN CONTINUE EXPANDING OUR SERVICES AND CONTINUE LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ENCOURAGE OPERATING COSTS. THEY ALSO SAY KEEPING TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE. THE BIGGEST REASON WE SEE WHEN REGISTERING IS IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE TEACHER, YOU CANNOT HAVE THE CLASSROOM, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMANICAL SERVICES WAS NOT PRESENT AT TODAY’S MEETING. BUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE AJ PITTMAN SAYS SHE WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR PARENTS. LIVE REPORTING I

Oklahoma lawmakers conduct third interim study on child care affordability and accessibility

On Thursday, lawmakers gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol to discuss child care issues and solutions for the third time this week as part of an interim study.

On Thursday, lawmakers gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol to discuss child care issues and solutions for the third time this week as part of an interim study. State Representative Ajay Pittman, who led the discussion, said the number of interim studies alone shows the crisis in Oklahoma. “A one-size-fits-all solution won’t work on this issue, but we want to make sure we have this conversation before our legislative deadline,” said Pittman, who represents District 99. In May, KOCO 5 reported that 11 Head Start programs in Oklahoma County had closed their doors this year alone. “We have worked tirelessly day after day to meet the child care needs of families,” said Pastor Brandon Sims of Love Grow Live Center. The problem, according to lawmakers, is a lack of funding and low enrollment numbers. Sims said one way to address the issues is to provide more funding, similar to what was done during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars have been a lifeline. While we received the ARPA dollars, we need ongoing funding for all providers so we can continue to expand our services and look for ways to cover operating costs,” Sims said. Another challenge is keeping teachers in the classroom. “The main reason we see with enrollment is that without a teacher you can’t have classes,” said Amanda Ewing, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agency. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services was not present at Thursday’s meeting, but Pittman said she will continue to work with community leaders and stakeholders to find solutions for parents. Top Headlines: Man’s TikTok video goes viral after spotting ‘Bigfoot’ in Oklahoma forest. Crews recover body found by a fisherman at pond in northwest Oklahoma City. Because of the port strike, people are buying toilet paper in a panic. There’s no need for Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days to start soon, but we’ve already found early deals. What does election fraud really look like in the USA? What the data shows since 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY –

On Thursday, lawmakers gathered at the Oklahoma State Capitol to discuss child care issues and solutions for the third time this week as part of an interim study.

State Representative Ajay Pittman, who led the discussion, said the number of interim studies alone shows the crisis in Oklahoma.

“A one-size-fits-all solution won’t work on this issue, but we want to make sure we have this conversation before our legislative deadline,” said Pittman, who represents District 99.

In May, KOCO 5 reported that 11 Head Start programs in Oklahoma County had closed their doors this year alone.

“We have worked tirelessly day after day to meet the child care needs of families,” said Pastor Brandon Sims of Love Grow Live Center.

The problem, according to lawmakers, is a lack of funding and low enrollment numbers.

Sims said one way to address the issues is to provide more funding, similar to what was done during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars have been a lifeline. While we received the ARPA dollars, we need ongoing funding for all providers so we can continue to expand our services and look for ways to cover operating costs,” Sims said.

Another challenge is keeping teachers in the classroom.

“The main reason we see in enrollment is that without a teacher you can’t have classes,” said Amanda Ewing, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agency.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services was not present at Thursday’s meeting, but Pittman said she will continue to work with community leaders and stakeholders to find solutions for parents.

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