KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo County commissioners will hear a presentation this week that could lead to a request for another special millage request, this time to help fund child care.
The county already has special millages to raise money for veterans services, law enforcement, senior programs and its unique housing millage.
Advocates say that childcare has reached crisis proportions, with spaces for only 1 in 4 preschoolers in Kalamazoo County. They say it’s unaffordable when it is available.
Beth Berglin says it forces too many parents into having to decide between working and childcare, impacting the overall economy.
Two members of the Michigan Transformation Collective will make their preliminary pitch to the county board at their afternoon work session. No action is planned.
The county board has initiated the Tri-share program to fund daycare assistance for their own employees, and to encourage training for workers to provide daycare, but both efforts are relatively new and limited.
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