By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
Only 23% of the child care needs in Geary County are being served, meaning 1,800 kids six and under are without quality child care.
There will be a Child Care Crisis Summit on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Deb Andres, Geary County Family & Consumer Science Extension Agent, said "Now we're recognizing that childcare is really a significant issue for our business and industry partners."
Trish Giordano, Geary County Commissioner, noted that the shortage is affecting the county's economic growth. "If we can bring as many jobs as they can here but if no one is here to watch their kids they aren't going to be able to find workers."
The summit will run from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Professional Learning Center, 920 W. 6th Street in Junction City.
There will be speakers who will address topics ranging from challenges and what participants would like to see happen to success stories from across Kansas. There will also be input from local child care centers to learn about what they see as barriers to offering enough childcare placements.
Registration is free. To register online go to jcacc.org/childcarecrisissummit. Registration closes this Wednesday.
This event is being co-hosted by the Geary County Child Care Coalition, Live Well Geary County and Child Care Aware of Kansas.