When the Economic Development Council (EDC) and Mason Matters kicked off our childcare strategic planning process last fall, we were reminded immediately what should guide our work. One of our coalition members stood up and plainly stated what we all knew to be true when she said, “childcare has always been viewed as a woman’s problem to solve, but this plan needs to recognize it’s up to the whole community.” Message received.
Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential to the economic and social well-being of our community. Childcare supports families, strengthens workforce participation, improves educational outcomes for children, and serves as critical infrastructure for local businesses and the broader economy. In Mason County, however, many families continue to face significant challenges in finding accessible and affordable childcare that meets their needs.
Cost is the biggest barrier parents face. A single mom making Mason County’s average wage can expect to spend 23 percent of her take home pay on childcare. Nearly 40 percent of Mason County residents live in poverty or meet the United Way’s ALICE definition, which means they are employed but have limited assets and income. This number increases significantly for Hispanic, American Indian, and single-female households. More than 70 percent of survey respondents said lack of childcare affects their ability to pursue education or training that could help them earn a higher wage.
Another challenge parents face is few options for kids with special needs and limited hours of available care, which impacts those who work non-traditional hours like first responders, health care providers and utility workers.
With that in mind, the EDC and Mason Matters partnered with childcare providers, employers, educators, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to better understand the barriers facing families and providers throughout the county. We took their feedback and developed a strategic plan that reflects the input, experiences, and priorities they shared.
The plan outlines both immediate and long-term opportunities to address childcare shortages and improve outcomes for children, families, employers, and the community. Our plan sets a goal of creating 150 new childcare slots in Mason County over the next three years and outlines actions to grow our childcare workforce, identify funding for expansion projects, and increase public awareness and advocacy.
Finally, this work recognizes that childcare is not solely a family issue—it is an economic development issue, a workforce issue, and a community resiliency issue. Limited childcare availability impacts employers’ ability to recruit and retain workers, reduces labor force participation, and creates barriers for economic mobility. Addressing these challenges will require continued partnership and coordinated action across sectors.
We are grateful to the Washington State Department of Commerce for investing in this important effort through the Child Care Partnership Grant and to the many community members and organizations who contributed their time, expertise, and perspectives throughout the planning process. Their collaboration and commitment helped shape a plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of Mason County.
We look forward to continuing this work together and advancing strategies that support children, families, care providers, and the long-term vitality of Mason County. To read the plan visit MasonEDC.org.