As part of Ohio’s upcoming two-year state budget, lawmakers are proposing more than $200 million to support childcare services — a move many local providers say is desperately needed.

The majority of the funding, $200 million, would go toward vouchers for low-income families to help pay for daycare. An additional $10 million is earmarked for programs that involve shared childcare costs between employers, employees, and the state. Another $3.2 million would support mentoring and the development of more in-home daycare businesses.

Local providers say the help can't come soon enough.

Elsa Munoz runs a 24-hour daycare in Campbell and says she's seen firsthand how a lack of funding and support has impacted not only the families she serves, but her own ability to retain staff.

"I could hire more people and provide more stability for my employees, and pay more to my employees, because we don't get paid what we deserve right now," Munoz said.

Staffing shortages have become one of the biggest challenges across Ohio’s childcare system. Many daycare operators say low wages make it difficult to retain qualified workers, forcing them to take on multiple roles themselves.

Munoz added, "We are essential. We do not one job — sometimes we do seven or eight jobs at the same time. That's why I'm advocating for them to put more money into the budget, so we can get the money that we deserve."

Aaron Bohr, owner of Barrel of Monkeys daycare in Austintown, agrees the funding could go a long way in addressing operational issues.
 "We could definitely use the funding," Bohr said. "We would definitely direct it towards our staffing and staff supports and like benefits and things like that."

Both Bohr and Munoz said the pressure on daycare providers has only intensified since the pandemic, with many centers operating at or near capacity while struggling to recruit and retain workers.

If the proposed funding passes, providers are hopeful it can help them continue offering essential care — and keep more working parents in the workforce.