Women’s Foundation of Alabama shares how lack of accessible childcare impacts state’s workforce

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A local organization is sounding the alarm on how the lack of accessible childcare is impacting our state’s workforce.

The Women’s Foundation of Alabama says our state ranks 49th in the nation for female labor force participation, adding the lack of affordable, quality childcare continues to be one of the top barriers.

Lillian Brand, Vice President of External Affairs, says many of Alabama’s rural areas have difficulty accessing good childcare because of transportation and those who can access it can’t afford it many times.

Because of this, many families are left with deciding between staying in the workforce or caring for children at home. This issue is the sole reason for a bill which will be introduced during this legislative session called the Alabama Childcare Tax Credit Bill.

“That’s a multi-pronged approach through an employer tax credit, a childcare provider tax credit, and a nonprofit childcare provider fundraising tool that would help invest in the economy and in the industry and give back to employers and providers that are helping to improve access and affordability of childcare,” explained Brand.

She says the bill is not yet filed but will be carried in the House by Representative Anthony Daniels and in the Senate by Senator Garlan Gudger.

A similar bill was introduced last year but never made it out of committee.