Here’s the Real Story About Childcare in Oregon

In Oregon, most parents are struggling to afford even basic childcare—let alone single parents with only one income. For the majority of single moms, the question isn’t “where can I find a great nanny?!” It’s “will I make enough at this job to pay for the childcare I need in order to take the job in the first place?” 

Women make 79 cents for every dollar paid to men in the same job. Childcare now costs as much or more as college, and budget cuts that slashed public assistance benefits mean even less of an opportunity for women to work and ensure that their children are in safe childcare. It’s as though we set out specifically to design an economic system that punishes women for being single, working mothers.

Here are some facts that we hope Mr. Youngblood uses in his story about child care in Oregon:

• The medium income for single mothers is $21,828.
• The average annual cost for infant care in a day care center is $13,452—61% of the medium income for single moms.
• The average annual cost for a 4-year-old in a day care center is $10,200—47% of the median income for single moms. 
• According to the latest Census figures, 43.7% of households led by single mothers are below the poverty line. For a mom with two kids, that’s less than $20,000 a year.
• Since the beginning of the recession, Oregon has cut assistance for struggling families and single parents. 
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families has been cut, and the Employment Related Day Care program has also been slashed.
• While the ERDC has seen minimal amounts of money restored to the budget by the legislature, thousands of working parents are still on the waiting list. 
• According to the International Nanny Association, the median hourly rate for nannies is $16. Assuming 40 hours a week, that’s an annual salary of $33,280. 

For more information regarding this please read the article - http://thesockeye.org/2014/07/28/katu-heres-the-real-story-about-childcare-in-oregon/