Childcare summit to come to Greencastle

A childcare summit will be coming to Greencastle and Putnam County later this month, and, according to one local official, it is aimed to help address one of the most pressing economic and workforce challenges. 

"Access to childcare isn't just a family issue. It is a workforce and economic issue. This summit is about moving from data to action, uniting the community to create sustainable childcare solutions that strengthen families and local businesses," said Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre.

Aguirre played a key role in the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center earning a $40,000 grant by Duke Energy and the Indiana Economic Develop Association earlier this year to help rectify the childcare crisis in Putnam County. At the time, Aguirre said the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center would engage large corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs to better understand how child care challenges impact their operations and the decision for employees to live and work in the county.

"Many employees struggle to find available and affordable childcare options, leading some to leave the workforce, commute to neighboring counties or live elsewhere, all of which reduces Putnam County's labor force and economic vitality," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post. 

On Oct. 29, one such discussion will be held, as the Greencastle/Putnam County Development Center, along with TPMA, an Indianapolis consulting firm, will host the Shaping Solutions Together Childcare Summit in the Putnam County YMCA Community Room from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event looks to bring together employers, parents, childcare providers, schools and local officials to address the childcare need in Putnam County. Aguirre said the event is a step towards implementing the Putnam County Childcare Impact and Action Plan, which looks to quantify the economic impact of childcare gaps and identify sustainable, community driven solutions. 

According to analysis from TPMA, childcare costs in Putnam County have risen significantly since 2016, going from $4,815 to over $8,000 today. The analysis also found there are only 544 licensed childcare seats in the county, and to meet the demand by 2034, Putnam County will need to increase capacity by 12 percent annually.  

The summit will look to share findings from the impact and action plan, facilitate solution focused decisions among employers, providers and organizations, and identify actionable next steps to expand childcare options and support working families within Putnam County.