Addressing the Child Care Crisis in Southern West Virginia
At Child Care Biz Help, we are dedicated to improving the childcare landscape across the U.S. and are now turning our focus to Southern West Virginia. A severe childcare crisis is affecting childcare center owners, families, communities, and businesses in the region, and we believe it’s time for collective action.
To this end, we are working with A Place To Grow Owner, Melissa Colagrosso in launching a campaign aimed at creating a new task force that will bring together community leaders, policymakers, and childcare professionals to address this urgent issue.
The Child Care Crisis in Southern West Virginia
Southern West Virginia is facing an escalating childcare crisis, with many families struggling to find affordable and high-quality early childhood care. The state is one of the hardest hit by "childcare deserts," where more than half of the population lives in areas with little to no access to licensed providers. In 2024 alone, over 60 childcare providers have closed, including seven large centers, leaving parents with even fewer options.
The root causes of this crisis are complex. High poverty rates, low wages for early educators, and insufficient childcare funding have compounded the issue, making it difficult for providers to stay afloat.
As a result, many families are forced to either forgo employment or turn to unregulated care options, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of their children.
High Scarcity Areas
Areas of High Poverty
Together We Grow: A Campaign for Collective Action
Child Care Biz Help and Owner, Colagrosso are spearheading the "Together We Grow" campaign, which seeks to establish a task force that will create sustainable solutions to the childcare crisis in Southern West Virginia.
This campaign calls for collaboration between local government officials, community leaders, and the childcare industry to address the structural challenges within the region’s early childhood education system.
The goals of this campaign include:
- Advocating for increased funding: Many childcare providers are for-profit and excluded from accessing certain grants. Our campaign will push for policies that provide all childcare centers with access to necessary funding, including grants to improve quality and expand services.
- Developing sustainable business models: We aim to help existing childcare centers find ways to stay open and to attract new providers into the market, ensuring that children have access to high-quality care. Our focus is on creating models that work financially, so centers can continue to serve families long-term.
- Addressing workforce shortages: Staffing challenges are one of the biggest obstacles childcare providers face. By forming this task force, we will work on strategies to recruit and retain skilled educators, improving both wages and working conditions.
The Community Impact
Without reliable childcare, the economic stability of Southern West Virginia is at risk. Parents are unable to return to work, businesses struggle to find employees, and communities lose a critical resource for child development. The task force we aim to create through the "Together We Grow" campaign will focus on long-term solutions to these issues, ensuring that children receive the high-quality care and early education they need.
Additionally, we are committed to addressing other broader impacts of the childcare crisis, such as improving academic outcomes, reducing juvenile delinquency, and supporting stronger family structures. High-quality childcare can be a key driver of positive change, helping to foster healthier, more resilient communities in Southern West Virginia.
How You Can Get Involved
The success of this campaign depends on the collective efforts of local businesses, policymakers, and the community. Child Care Biz Help is inviting all stakeholders to join us in this mission by contributing their expertise, resources, or advocacy. Together, we can form a task force that will bring real, lasting improvements to Southern West Virginia’s childcare landscape.
By working together, we can ensure that every child in the region has access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Join us in building a brighter future for Southern West Virginia’s children, families, and communities through the "Together We Grow" campaign.
Visit the campaign website and learn about the upcoming events and efforts of the Together We Grow Collaboration.
