South Dakota Child Care Task Force Poised to Unveil 2024 Findings
The much-anticipated report from the South Dakota Child Care Task Force is set to cast light on the multifaceted impacts of child care accessibility on the state’s workforce. This eagerly awaited release, developed in concert with the prestigious Hunt Institute, promises to deliver critical insights just before the state legislative session convenes. These findings could be pivotal in shaping South Dakota’s economic and educational future.
Leading the charge is Republican State Senator Tim Reed of Brookings, a seasoned lawmaker and advocate for practical policy solutions addressing the state’s pressing child care shortages. Reed, drawing from his extensive experience, emphasized the profound economic ramifications both parents and the workforce face due to inadequate child care options.
“We know that when there’s parents that aren’t able to work, or maybe they have to take the day off because there’s a child care issue—either the child care is not available or their child is sick—that there’s an economic result to that,” said Reed. In fact, a 2023 study by the nonprofit ReadyNation projected that South Dakota forfeits a staggering $329 million annually due to insufficient child care infrastructure.
Reed, whose professional journey spans leadership roles in supply chain planning, information technology, and college development, stresses the long-term societal benefits of investing in early childhood education. The consequences of low literacy rates among children can reverberate well into adulthood, as suggested by correlations linking such rates with increased incarceration levels.
“There’s a high return on investing in children when they’re young,” Reed asserts. “We’re looking at building a new prison, and that price tag is extremely expensive. So, what can we do to mitigate the number of beds that we do need, or number of cells that we do need in our prison system in the future?”
The release of this report is particularly timely as it converges with the interests and collaborative efforts of numerous stakeholders, including legislators, child care providers, and organizations vested in South Dakota’s future. The task force’s findings are not only expected to illustrate the complex relationship between child care access and a robust workforce but also to highlight policy recommendations poised to drive legislative action come January 10th.
The Hunt Institute
Senator Reed’s notable achievements include his tenure as mayor of Brookings and his 19 years of dedicated public service, which have been marked by accolades such as the SDSU Presidential Special Citation and the Law & Order Legislative Leadership Award. His current role as CEO of the Brookings Economic Development Corporation sees him actively engaged in efforts to address South Dakota’s child care concerns—a commitment underscored by his involvement in the task force initiative.
This initiative, facilitated by the Hunt Institute’s expertise in early childhood education policy, embodies a collaborative approach to unravel the intricate dynamics affecting South Dakota’s workforce. The task force report, crafted with the combined insights of its diverse cohort, stands to contribute significantly to policy deliberations aimed at bolstering child care infrastructure.
Looking ahead, the report’s upcoming publication is expected to inject a sense of urgency into legislative dialogues, pushing for reforms needed to alleviate the current child care crisis. Through these efforts, South Dakota aspires to not only enhance the resilience of its workforce but also to lay down a sustainable foundation for its future generations.