By Joe Ulery
Indiana News Service

INDIANAPOLIS — Working Hoosiers are fighting to find child care to mesh with their work schedules, placing Indiana 24th in child well-being, according to a new report.

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation gives the state its highest ranking in 10 years. However, it also confirms what many moms, dads and caregivers already know: It is difficult to juggle work and family.

Tami Silverman, president and chief executive officer of the Indiana Youth Institute, said Indiana is one of 33 states where infant care is more expensive than in-state tuition at public colleges.

“It’s also a workforce issue,” Silverman pointed out. “When families can’t access that quality, safe health care, they might have to step back from a job or leave a job or not take a job that could benefit their family. So it’s both an individual and a developmental issue for the child, and it’s also a family and economic issue.”

The report ranks Indiana 13th in education, up four points from last year. Silverman described it as the bright spot in the findings.

The shortcomings of the child care market leaves $122 billion on the table in America each year in lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said the U.S. needs a functional child care system.

“The country has never had a child care system that is affordable and accessible to families and also pays a family-sustaining wage to workers,” Boissiere contended. “It’s imperative that we invest in a child care system that can work not only for kids and families, but also for our businesses and the economy.”

Statistics show child care workers are paid worse than 98% of professions with a median national annual salary less than $30,000.