Arizona State Rep. Selina Bliss said that it makes “good business sense” to examine the relationship between child care, workforce participation and economic growth across the state.
Bliss made the statement after participating in a regional meeting with local business, economic development and workforce leaders focused on child care as part of workforce infrastructure, according to her post on X. The meeting included the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, CVAZ Chamber and Prescott Area Association of Realtors.
Yavapai County has about 6,000 children under age 5 and an estimated 3,500 openings at child care facilities, according to First Things First. More than 30% of those children live in homes where both parents work.
Arizona’s economy loses $4.7 billion annually because of child care challenges. A separate analysis cited by First Things First said strengthening Arizona’s child care system could generate more than $12 billion in annual economic output and support more than 100,000 jobs.
Bliss earned a doctorate in nursing education from Capella University and previously worked as a nurse at Yavapai Regional Medical Center for 36 years while teaching nursing at Yavapai College for 27 years. She has lived in Yavapai County since 1971 and chairs the House Committee on Health and Human Services, according to Ballotpedia.
