In 2022, almost 85,000 Alabama families needed access to child care but had no affordable, quality options in their communities. In 2021, as many as 19% of working parents in Alabama said they had had to miss work due to child care issues. Those are among the stunning data points found in Alaina Bookman’s latest reporting on Alabama’s affordable child care crisis.
This week, Alaina joined Down in Alabama for an in-depth discussion about the hard choices facing Alabama parents. She’s heard from some mothers who have been pushed to the financial brink by their search for child care. Will the state of Alabama provide any relief? Listen in.
Down in Alabama is AL.com‘s daily news podcast. Each morning, you’ll hear the most important headlines and stories from around the state. You’ll also hear directly from AL.com‘s reporters to learn the story behind the story. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcast.
Want to read Alaina Bookman’s childcare series? Start here:
Child care crisis holds back moms without college degrees: ‘I really didn’t want to quit my job’
Alabama child care dilemma means lost work, bankruptcy: ‘Just trying to survive’
UAB opens new child care center for employees. It’s already at capacity