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Options Available For Raising Pay For Child Care Providers

BOZEMAN, MT--Low wages among child care workers in Montana contribute to high turnover among caregivers, according to a new survey done at Montana State University-Bozeman. Forty percent of teachers leave the job every six months; 63 percent of assistant teachers leave every six months.

Low pay among caregivers is a complex, obstinate problem that can only be solved through partnerships, child care advocates say. Below are some solutions they suggested at the community, state and federal levels:

Community

• Centers themselves have a responsibility to improve caregiver training and dispel the myth that taking care of young children is just babysitting. College credit and informal approved training in 11 content areas plus a career path are offered through the Montana Early Care and Education Career Development system (800-213-6310). It maintains a database of more than 200 approved training events around the state. Scholarships are available for staff and program accreditation.

• Businesses can offer dependent care assistance plans to help employees pay for child care and get a 20 percent tax credit on their state taxes. Businesses also could support a pool of child care providers for employees.

• Businesses, service clubs or individuals could help with fundraising or donate supplies, time, rent or other resources so that more funds can go toward salaries.

• The Montana state AFL-CIO is looking at community collaborations to provide child care services for all workers, according to education director Tom Huddleston. Including child care opportunities as part of collective bargaining agreements is another option. A national survey of AFL-CIO members, most of whom are women, revealed that the No. 1 concern among members was child care, not wages, Huddleston said.

• Montana legislators currently are considering doubling the amount of money available for low-income subsidies and for "quality initiatives" like professional development, said Patti Russ of the Department of Health and Human Services. Funds would increase for expanding services for infants and toddlers and for merit pay that providers can earn for increasing their training, for example.

• Initiatives that would improve the overall Montana economy would make child care more affordable. Montana currently ranks at or near the bottom in average income and tops the nation in the number of people who work more than one job, according to Tom Huddleston of the Montana state AFL-CIO.

• Caregivers can increase their college-level education and earnings as they progress through a Department of Labor and Industry Apprenticeship Program. Little People's Academy of Bozeman is the first to participate.

• The Child and Adult Care Food Program reimburses participating facilities for serving nutritious meals and for providing nutrition education and training.

• Welfare-to-work initiatives have increased child care demand among low income families. Congress this session will consider the "Caring for Children Act" sponsored by Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I. A 20 percent federal tax credit for employers who construct, renovate or operate on- or near-site child care centers is one component, said John Lindgren, a spokesman for Montana Sen. Conrad Burns. Others are block grants for staff training and education, and tax breaks for a stay-at-home parent in families earning $30,000 or less.

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