FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First 5 Mono Adopts Early Learning Care Policy to Address Significant Childcare Shortage

MONO COUNTY, CA (12.4.2024) – In an effort to address the Mono County’s continuing childcare shortage, First 5 Mono has adopted an Early Learning Care Policy outlining the County’s ongoing need to provide high-quality childcare for its youngest, and most impressionable and vulnerable residents. In Mono County, childcare shortages are creating societal and economic burdens as parents struggle to secure accessible, high- quality early care and education for their children under four years of age.

“High quality childcare lays the foundations for strong performance in school, healthy long-term social, emotional, and cognitive development, and economic benefits to the entire community,” said Molly DesBaillets, executive director, First 5 Mono County. “Our community needs the resources to not just support working parents, but to help lay the foundation for young children to become successful both in the classroom and as community members.”

The Early Learning Care Policy adopted by the First 5 Mono Commission calls for the support of local, state, and federal representatives to advocate for additional funding to support local families. Current levels of funding do not allow quality childcare throughout Mono County communities to thrive. Not only is there not enough childcare available, but individuals qualified to teach young children choose other professions due in part to the low wages in the early learning field.

Mono County needs reliable childcare, and it is imperative that we create policies that support the professionalism and longevity of these careers. To read the entire Early Learning Care Policy click here.

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