Arizona loses billions of dollars every year due to what's being labeled a "child care" crisis by a group of business leaders who’ve been studying the issue for nearly a decade.
The group is called ReadyNation, and its members are business executives focused on building a skilled workforce.
“The best possible care that we can give is at a crucial, irreplaceable time of a child’s brain development,” said Adam Saks, COO of Cannon Beach and Revel Surf parks in Mesa.
But quality child care is hard to find and expensive. So much that ReadyNation’s new report says Arizona loses about $3.3 billion a year in productivity, earnings and tax revenue.
In “41 states, it’s more to take care of your child than it is to send your older child to college. It's really kind of upside down,” Saks said.
ReadyNation, which has been studying the issue since 2018, is urging Congress to confront the problem with legislation.
Saks employs teens in their first jobs as well as experienced tradesmen.
“The best work comes from those that are relaxed and comfortable and know that their children are well taken care of. It's an enormous impact on the productivity of the team member daily,” Saks said.
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