It’s no secret that affordable childcare is in short supply locally and statewide.
In fact, Colleen Homb, the Director of Lakeshore CAP (or community action program), called it “a national crisis” during an appearance on WOMT’s Be My Guest Monday.
Homb explained it’s unaffordable for many and there are not enough slots available.
She tells us a childcare study was done recently in Manitowoc County.
“The point was trying to get information from people who were working or would be working if they could find childcare,” she told host Lee Douglas. “Data showed lack of childcare slots and cost are both huge issues for people wanting to get into the workforce or who are (already) in the workforce.”
Lakeshore CAP is looking to help remedy the shortage.
Homb says her organization has received a grant or a contract to work with low to moderate-income households who are interested in starting their own childcare.
She explained, “What we can do is provide some support around helping them get connected with creating a business plan, helping them achieve the steps through that plan and just resource and referral to any other organization that might be able to assist them.”
She added that they won’t be able to help them say, purchase a fence, to receive their certification, but, “we can certainly work with other organizations and connect them to funding sources to do that.”
If people are interested in the grant program contact her office at 702 State Street in Manitowoc.
