Committee to tour state to partner with parents and providers for innovative solutions
ST. PAUL, MN — Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, announced Tuesday the formation of a Select Committee on Affordable Child Care. The select committee will be chaired by Representative Mary Franson, R-Alexandria, and will partner with providers and parents to facilitate solutions for more affordable child care choices for Minnesota families.
“Minnesota has many top-quality childcare providers who offer a safe, quality environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Rep. Franson. “However, too many Minnesota families cannot find available or affordable child care in their community.”
"Representative Franson's experience as a child care provider makes her the ideal person to lead this committee," added Speaker Daudt. "This committee is ready to get to work finding solutions to make child care more affordable and accessible across the state."
Beginning in February, the select committee will tour Greater Minnesota to hear from parents and providers about the challenges they face and partner with them to craft innovative solutions. According to data from the Department of Human Services, Minnesota has lost over 3,000 child care providers in the last decade.
“The lack of affordable child care has become an economic issue in Greater Minnesota with parents not inclined to take jobs in regions of the state where parents have to travel several miles to bring their children to a provider,” Franson continued. “As chair of this committee, I look forward to working with parents and providers to craft solutions that give families more choices and options for their child care needs.”
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