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Untapped Potential: Economic Impact of Childcare Breakdowns in the U.S.

Numerous studies have underscored the positive impact of high-quality childcare on children's development and the professional growth of their parents. Providing children with a strong foundation allows their parents to pursue careers, education, or vocational skills, contributing to the overall productivity of the workforce. However, when the childcare system breaks down, it deprives children of valuable opportunities and disrupts the participation of parents in the workforce or educational achievement. This breakdown has far-reaching economic implications for states. Many families face the formidable challenge of accessing suitable options for their children, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive and accessible childcare solutions.

The U.S. Chamber Foundation conducted studies in states across the country to better understand the impact of the childcare problem in their communities. The reports estimated that collectively, states lost billions of dollars in economic activity due to breakdowns in childcare.

Alaska

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber Foundation partnered with the Alaska Chamber on this report to better understand the unique needs of working parents in Alaska and examine the current childcare landscape. Since the height of the pandemic, Alaska’s unemployment rate has slowly started to return to pre-pandemic levels, falling by more than five percentage points since April of 2020.

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Arizona

Untapped Potential

The Chamber Foundation partnered with the Arizona Chamber on this report to better understand the unique needs of working parents in Arizona and examine the current childcare landscape. Arizona is one of the ten fastest growing states in the nation and is positioned to emerge from the pandemic with a strong and vibrant economy.

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Arkansas

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation partnered with the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Excel by Eight Foundations to understand how much breakdowns in childcare are currently costing Arkansas.

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Florida

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber Foundation partnered with the Florida Chamber Foundation to produce this report, which aims to address the unique needs of working parents in Florida by exploring the current childcare landscape.

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Michigan

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber Foundation partnered with the Grand Rapids Chamber, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) on this report, to understand the unique needs of working parents in Michigan by exploring the current childcare landscape.

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Missouri

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber Foundation partnered with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry on this report to better understand the unique needs of working parents in Missouri and examine the current childcare landscape.

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Texas

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation partnered with the Texas Chamber of Business and Industry and Early Matters to understand how much breakdowns in childcare are currently costing Texas.

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Utah

Untapped Potential

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation partnered with United Way of Salt Lake, Voices of Utah Children, and the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce on this report to better understand the unique needs of working parents in Utah and examine the current childcare landscape.

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2020 Untapped Potential Reports

Creating Solutions to Complex Challenges

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation partnered with the business communities in Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania and their early education partners to understand just how much breakdowns in childcare cost each state.

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