Hundreds of Oklahoma childcare teachers could leave job with loss of federal funding

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Many childcare providers across Oklahoma will be scrambling to find a way to keep teachers in classrooms. On September 30, 2024, $15 billion in federal funding will expire. The pandemic relief funds, or ARPA funds, were used to help parents afford childcare and childcare providers to staff facilities.

The money was also used as an incentive for teachers working in the childcare profession. It paid for daycare for teachers so they could remain in the workforce. Without the funds, many of those employees will find it hard to stay at their job and afford childcare.

"We think about 900 teachers will lose that benefit. 900 teachers, you know, translates to up to 1,800 children," said Carrie Williams, executive director for Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

The loss of funding could potentially force providers across the state to accept less children and even close because they don’t have enough staff. Williams said the solution to the problem should start at the Capitol. Legislation to provide similar incentives to childcare teachers stalled in the Senate last session.

"If we are not willing to make those investments, we're going to have to make hard choices," said Williams.

Administration at St. Luke’s Children Center said it was working on ways to help its teachers impacted by the loss of federal dollars. Gabrielle Moon, the center’s executive director, said she was even looking at ways to get creative with private grants.

"We're trying to help them so they're not going to struggle and not put them in a bind,” said Moon. “But bottom line is there's going to have to be a cost to everybody."

News 4 has learned the Oklahoma Department of Human Services recently proposed a change in income eligibility requirements. It would shift eligibility from 85% of the state medium wage down to 70%. The change would mean some families who qualified for assistance could soon make too much.

OKDHS said it has seen a 20% increase in children eligible for child care assistance in the last two years, sending KFOR this statement:

“To maximize the agency’s budget resources, the agency has proposed Emergency Rules to modify its income eligibility guidelines for the child care subsidy program. This proposed change ensures we are certifying families with the lowest income who critically need these services as they continue to work or go to school. This change can also help us prevent the possibility of deferring services.

Oklahoma Human Services understands the critical importance of child care programs to ensure families have access to safe and nurturing environments for their children while they work or go to school. Families’ access to reliable child care also supports Oklahoma’s businesses through a productive workforce. The agency is committed to stewarding taxpayer resources and providing Oklahoma families with access to safe, quality child care programs.

We encourage the public to submit comments about these proposed rules here.”

Public comment on the proposed changes ends September 3, 2024.

Williams said if the proposed plan is approved, it could be costly for families.

"Nearly a thousand families could lose childcare subsidy who are currently accessing child care subsidy,” said Williams. “That means mom most likely has to leave the workforce and go home."