Childcare
When childcare is unaffordable, everyone pays the price.
Jeneanne knows the childcare squeeze firsthand. As a single parent, she spent a staggering share of her paycheck on childcare when her children were young — an experience shared by thousands of families across District 21 and Utah. Today, the average cost of center-based childcare in Utah can consume a third or more of a working family’s income, and many families in our district face even longer waitlists and fewer options on the Westside.
When parents can’t find affordable, quality childcare, the consequences ripple outward: parents — especially mothers — leave the workforce or reduce their hours; employers struggle to retain talent; and children miss early learning opportunities that shape their futures. It’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and an equity issue all at once.
In the Utah Legislature, Jeneanne will push for:
Expanding the state childcare subsidy so more working families qualify for assistance, especially those earning just above the current cutoff, who are struggling the most.
Incentivizing new childcare providers in underserved neighborhoods, including home-based providers who are the backbone of care in many Westside communities.
Supporting childcare workers through higher wages and professional development pathways — because the people we trust with our children deserve to earn a living wage.
Increasing state funding for pre-K programs to give every child in District 21 access to high-quality early education, regardless of their family’s income.
Partnering with employers to explore shared childcare models, on-site care, and flexible-schedule programs that meet the needs of today’s workforce.
Jeneanne believes that investing in childcare isn’t just the right thing to do for families — it’s one of the smartest investments Utah can make in its economic future.