Bay County Chamber Task Force Addresses Childcare Crisis in Bay County

by: Aimee Bright, Vice President of Governmental/Military Affairs, Bay County Chamber of Commerce

In recent years, the childcare landscape in Bay County, Florida, has faced unprecedented challenges, leaving families struggling to find affordable and quality care for their children. It is an issue the Bay County Chamber has been monitoring through member surveys and its Governmental Affairs Committee, but the issue became front and center when Captain David Back, Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC), shared the news during the Chamber’s July Board of Directors meeting of a local childcare facility closing and the impact it would have on NSWC employees. Captain Back’s news spurred an important conversation with the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Immediately following that discussion, the Chamber moved from monitoring the issue to advocating for a comprehensive solution.

The childcare crisis in Bay County is multifaceted, like in many parts of the country. It encompasses issues such as accessibility, affordability, and the overall quality of childcare services. High demand, a shortage of qualified caregivers, and limited resources have created a perfect storm, leaving many families with few options.

Bay County’s crisis began following Hurricane Michael. Many local childcare and early learning centers were damaged or destroyed. Those facilities also experienced a substantial loss of personnel in the aftermath of the storm, reducing their workforce and the number of children they could serve. This double blow significantly compounded the challenges faced by the local childcare system.

The shortages exacerbated by Hurricane Michael became even more evident with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Certain childcare facilities temporarily closed to mitigate the spread of the disease. Meanwhile, those who remained open were required to alter their teacher-to-child ratios, limiting their capacity to admit more children.

Recognizing the profound challenges brought about by the dual impact of Hurricane Michael and the COVID-19 pandemic on the local childcare industry, the Chamber has taken a proactive stance to address the pressing issues by creating a dedicated task force. This task force is a collaborative effort to identify and implement sustainable solutions that can mitigate the adverse effects on the community's childcare infrastructure.

One key element of the Bay County Chamber's approach is forging strategic partnerships with local businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. By collaborating with stakeholders from various sectors, the Chamber aims to create a support network that can pool resources and expertise. This collaborative effort amplifies the impact of individual initiatives and fosters a sense of community responsibility toward resolving the childcare crisis.

Due to the extensive and varied nature of childcare challenges, the Chamber's task force initiated the process by engaging with stakeholders. This strategic approach ensured everyone involved could establish a shared understanding and foundation for addressing the diverse issues within the childcare sector. Once that foundation was established, the group transitioned into a brainstorming phase, exploring both short- and long-term goals and examining each stakeholder's strengths to determine available resources.

These discussions revealed Goodwill Big Bend operates a very successful preschool, The Learning Pavilion in Tallahassee, and was ready to expand in Bay County. However, a suitable facility for rent was a crucial requirement for this expansion. The task force engaged in discussions with various entities, including churches and other organizations, to explore potential partnerships and address this need. A suitable property has yet to be found, but ongoing efforts continue in the search for a viable solution.

The task force frequently discusses the imperative need to increase the number of childcare facilities, recognizing it as a pivotal aspect in overcoming the existing challenges. Task force members are actively involved in various initiatives and projects currently in progress. Both military installations are working to increase capacity for active-duty and civilian workforces. The Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida (ELCNWFL) has had grants and other financial resources available to new and expanding childcare centers. The Chamber has leveraged its partnership with NextSite, a commercial development advisory firm, to explore the possibility of establishing quality childcare franchises in Bay County. Launching new childcare facilities is challenging, and the task force remains committed to laying the groundwork to address this complex process.

The workforce shortage in childcare centers has also emerged as a critical challenge, prompting the task force to investigate an exploration of available programs and resources within the community. One such program is the Early Childhood Education Career Pathway at Arnold High School. While additional educational opportunities are available in Bay County, the imperative to establish a sustainable and skilled workforce in the childcare sector persists, amplified by the challenging aspect compensation in this field is not commensurate with the demand. In light of this, the task force remains dedicated to exploring solutions to bridge the gaps in the childcare workforce landscape.

Another topic the task force has discussed is how childcare costs can often pose a financial burden on families, making assistance programs crucial for ensuring access to quality care. In 2022, Child Care Aware found average annual infant or toddler childcare costs in the state exceeded the average yearly cost of college tuition. In a single-parent family, this could mean up to 35% of the parent’s income is used for childcare. Recognizing the pressing need for childcare assistance in the face of rising costs, the task force has been actively engaged in advocacy efforts at the state level. The Chamber and other stakeholders are encouraging policymakers to prioritize childcare assistance programs. These are a crucial investment in the future of Florida. They can positively impact early learning outcomes, workforce productivity, and economic growth.

While progress is underway, the childcare crisis in Bay County remains complex and requires ongoing efforts. The aftermath of Hurricane Michael and the persistent challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic emphasize the need for comprehensive solutions. The next steps involve expanding the task force to include more stakeholders and conducting a strategic planning session to refine collective goals. The Chamber remains dedicated to improving the childcare crisis in Bay County, and looks forward to sharing future successes with the community.