OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) -- Child care providers in Oklahoma say the industry is in need of more financial support to continue providing quality care and service.
Mandi Coleman, Director of St. Luke's Children's Center, said she's watched the demand for services increase over the past five years, which is why the industry is needing help now more than ever.
"We need our state leadership, our business leaders in the community, and community leaders at large to really collaborate together with our state agencies and help fund child care," Coleman said.
On Monday, the State Chamber acknowledged Oklahoma's growing population and the need for a stronger education system, starting with early childhood development.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services provides money, or subsidies, to help low-income families pay for child care.
However, the agency was hit hard during the government shutdown, and there isn't enough money to cover everyone applying for help.
Additionally, a COVID-era program that paid $5 per child per day to licensed programs is gone.
"We are so grateful for the COVID funding that we received. We did know that that was temporary, but they allowed us to give our staff raises, extra bonuses," Coleman said.
Providing quality care and retaining teachers is the top priority for child care centers as they nurture the future of our generation.
"We know that children 0 to 3 are the biggest prime window for learning. In order for those children to learn, all children need access to high quality care. In order to do that, we need to be funded by the state," Coleman added.
In a message to child care providers, DHS said it can't guarantee what future adjustment will look like, as they have to follow federal guidance.