Podcast: Economic mobility at work

America’s childcare crisis is exacerbated in rural communities, where local governments have limited funding and families have fewer options and farther distances to travel. 

Acknowledging that the funding model for the industry makes recruitment and retention a challenge, several counties are supplementing the wages of childcare workers. 

Lack of childcare options keeps would-be workers at home or at the very least, gives them an unpredictable schedule for work, both of which limit labor force participation and a county's economic growth.