The Missouri Champion of Children Coalition of child advocates, business groups, law enforcement, health care advocates and community leaders argue that child care and early education are a top priority for the state, just like Governor Parson said in last week’s state address. In his speech, Parson proposed $56 million to expand the preschool, $78 million to help low-income working families access child care, and also proposed tax credit programs to support employers who provide childcare to employees and childcare providers.
In his speech, Parson said, “There is a clear need to do better when it comes to early childhood. Let’s meet this moment for Missouri children, families and businesses.
“Governor Parson is right: There is no better investment in our state than in our children and there is no better time than now,” said Brian Schmidt, executive director of Kids Win Missouri. “We are thrilled to see Governor Parson make childcare and early education a priority in his budget.”
Formed in 2022, the Missouri Champion of Children Coalition includes: Kids Win Missouri, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Trust Fund, United WE, Aligned, American Academy of Pediatrics- Missouri Chapter, Children’s Defense Fund, Council for a Strong America and community leader throughout Missouri.
“Companies across Missouri are struggling to find workers, and it’s clear the state’s growing child care crisis is at the heart of the problem,” said Dan Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry . “This is a pressing issue and we are grateful that the governor and state legislators are focused on working with the business community to identify solutions to this complex problem.”
“Providing access to child care and early education is an investment in building safer communities,” said Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams. “As a former sheriff, Governor Parson knows what it takes to make our communities safer and focusing on children’s early years will help us do that.”
Learn more about the movement to support childcare and early childhood at MoChampionofChildren.com.
