A Collaborative Effort to Address 50% Gap in Child Care

Casa Grande, AZ – On October 15, 2024, a critical conversation about the future of child care in Casa Grande took place as local businesses, city officials, and early childhood partners gathered for the first Child Care and Economic Growth Roundtable. With the city facing a staggering 50% gap in available child care spaces, stakeholders are concerned that the ongoing economic expansion will exacerbate the issue unless immediate action is taken.

The event, hosted by Casa Grande Economic Development, First Things First, and Enhancing Early Childhood, aimed to raise awareness about the child care crisis and explore ways to address it. The roundtable brought together a motivated group of participants, including representatives from businesses, city officials, and early childhood organizations. 

• Business Leaders: Cardinal Glass, Banner Casa Grande, Kohler, Abbott, Lucid Motors
• City Officials: Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland and Mayor-Elect Lisa Fitzgibbons
• Early Childhood Partners: Grow with Grace Learning Center, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Children's Action Alliance, Arizona Center for Economic Progress 

The discussion focused on the impact of the child care shortage on both local families and the business community. With more businesses entering Casa Grande, the demand for affordable, reliable child care is expected to skyrocket, further widening the gap between supply and demand.

One of the key highlights of the roundtable was the highly engaging and collaborative nature of the conversation. Participants shared ideas, brainstormed potential solutions, and explored creative approaches to addressing the shortage. Throughout the discussion, there was a shared recognition that solving the child care crisis will require a concerted effort from all sectors—business, government, and the early childhood education community.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the formation of a task force, which will meet regularly to continue the planning process and implement action steps to address the child care shortage in Casa Grande. 

 For more information or to get involved with the task force, contact Annette Lopez at alopez@firstthingsfirst.org.