NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — John Wilson with Kansas Action for Children acknowledges that the childcare capacity problem is a statewide one and that those who regulate need to make some adjustments, even though Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed legislation this past session that would have reduced some regulations.
"The state Department of Health and Environment is actually in the midst of a comprehensive regulation review," Wilson said. "That is going to look at a lot of the things that came up during this legislative session. They are going to propose these changes. It could be that, by this fall, we'll have a whole suite of regulations that could be tweaked to address concerns that were brought up by providers during the session. I think that's the first piece. Regulations obviously have to be a part of it. We have to make sure they are modernized and keep up with the profession."
Another piece is having physical spaces for childcare centers.
"Thankfully, there is an opportunity from the Kansas Children's Cabinet and trust fund through their accelerator program to actually fund building childcare, building the infrastructure and building spaces. That's a really great opportunity."
It's also important to let the process play out, but not to wait too long to get something accomplished.
"The state has a budget surplus right now," Wilson said. "I think it's important for the state to invest some of that surplus into childcare. What better time to do it then after this task force comes up with recommendations to strengthen the system and hopefully have a single state agency, so that we have the right programs and systems and structures to then invest money into?"
The next meeting of the task force is Tuesday.
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