Part One of an analysis by First 5 Orange County found child care challenges take a significant toll on Orange County companies and the overall economy, with billions of dollars lost in productivity, wages and tax revenue. Furthermore, the struggle to find child care also puts a staggering personal and financial burden on families with young children. Far too often parents must choose between continuing to work or abandoning their careers to care for their children. This is especially the case in the aftermath of Covid-19. 

Part Two of this analysis is now available and will be discussed this evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in a webinar co-hosted by First 5 Orange County and Early Childhood OC. The webinar details the economic impacts of local child care challenges before and during the pandemic and what can be done to improve the situation. 

“The federal government’s American Rescue Plan has allocated $56 million dollars to help Irvine recover from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” explains Councilmember Agran. “Ensuring every family has access to quality, affordable childcare is an obvious, important way to invest in our workforce, economic output, and children’s care and development. I look forward to advocating for this type of investment when the City Council deliberates how to allocate these funds in the Fall.”

To join the webinar, register here.

For a copy of the report and other related resources, click here.