Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Union County Child Care Study examines the availability, affordability, and reliability of child care in Union County, Oregon, and how child care challenges affect families, employers, and the local workforce. The study was conducted through Union County’s participation in the National Association of Counties’ Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility program, in partnership with the Rural Engagement & Vitality Center (REV).

  • Child care is an important part of economic mobility and workforce participation. When families cannot find affordable, reliable care that fits their work schedules, they may have to miss work, turn down jobs, delay education or career opportunities, or change how much they work.

    The study was designed to better understand these challenges in Union County and identify practical strategies the community can pursue.

  • The survey was intended for Union County residents with at least one child under age five. A total of 465 people completed the survey, and after responses were reviewed and cleaned, 266 responses were included in the final analysis.

    Because the survey used convenience sampling rather than a random sample, the results should not be interpreted as representing every parent or caregiver in Union County.

  • No. Cost is a major barrier, but availability and scheduling are also significant challenges.

    Many families reported difficulty finding care that was available when they needed it. More than half of survey respondents needed additional care during standard business hours, while 44% needed evening or weekend coverage.

    The study also found that some families who can afford to pay for care still have difficulty finding an available slot that fits their needs.

  • No. The findings are more complicated than a simple choice between working and staying home.

    Some respondents said they would prefer to stay home with their children if finances allowed. Others wanted to continue working full time, while many expressed interest in part-time, hybrid, or flexible work arrangements.

    The findings suggest families are looking for ways to balance caregiving and employment—and that the availability and cost of child care can influence what options are realistically possible.

  • The recommendations fall into three broad areas:

    1. Improve workplace support and child care affordability
    Encourage employers to expand family-friendly workplace policies and explore child care benefits, shared-cost models, and other ways to help employees access care.

    2. Preserve existing child care and expand future capacity
    Support existing providers, strengthen the child care workforce, reduce administrative and operational burdens, and explore shared-service models.

    3. Invest in local child care infrastructure
    Explore funding and partnerships for additional child care facilities and capacity, including potential use of county-owned property and partnerships with employers, educators, providers, and community organizations.

  • Employers can evaluate how their workplace policies affect working parents and consider options such as flexible scheduling, child care stipends, dependent care benefits, emergency or backup care, and partnerships with local providers.

    The study also recommends exploring a Tri-Share-style model, in which the cost of child care is shared among employers, families, and public or philanthropic partners.

  • The study is intended to provide a starting point for community discussion and action. Its recommendations offer several possible paths forward, from supporting existing providers and working with employers to exploring new infrastructure and workforce investments.

    Addressing Union County's child care challenges will require collaboration across the community—not a single solution or organization.

  • The full Union County Child Care Study provides the methodology, survey findings, provider perspectives, recommendations, and case studies that inform these conclusions.

  • The study found that families face challenges with both the cost and availability of child care. Among survey respondents:

    • 70% reported missing an educational or professional opportunity because child care was unaffordable or inaccessible.

    • 53% reported needing additional child care during standard business hours.

    • 44% reported needing evening or weekend care.

    • Only 19% reported having adequate child care.

    • More than half of respondents in households earning $50,000–$100,000 reported leaving or declining a job because of child care.

    • Cost was the most commonly reported child care barrier.

  • Yes. Union County is considered a child care desert for children ages 3–5 and a severe child care desert for infants and toddlers ages 0–2.

    Broader child-care-capacity data indicate that only 9% of infants and toddlers in Union County have access to a licensed child care slot.

    This statistic comes from child-care capacity data, not from the parent survey.

  • A child care desert is an area where there are not enough licensed child care slots to meet the needs of the children who live there.

    A severe child care desert reflects an even greater shortage of available care. In Union County, the shortage is particularly significant for infants and toddlers.

  • The study found that child care challenges can directly affect people's ability to work and advance their careers.

    Seventy percent of respondents reported missing an educational or professional opportunity because of child care. More than half of respondents in households earning $50,000–$100,000 reported leaving or declining a job because of child care.

    These challenges can also affect employers through absenteeism, turnover, recruitment difficulties, and reduced workforce participation.

  • Provider focus groups conducted as part of the study identified challenges that aren't fully captured by the parent survey. Providers described staffing shortages, difficulty finding substitutes, cash-flow challenges, and the financial strain of keeping care affordable for families.

    The study also found that many providers are small, women-owned businesses that may not have access to the same business support and resources available to other industries.

  • It recommends exploring the development of a new child care facility, potentially on county-owned property. But the report emphasizes that a new building alone will not solve the problem.

    Any new facility would also need a sustainable operating model, qualified staff, strong partnerships, and long-term financial support.

  • The study recommends bringing together local government, employers, child care providers, educators, and community organizations to coordinate solutions.

    Potential actions include pursuing funding, supporting providers, developing workforce pipelines, improving business assistance for child care providers, and exploring long-term investments in child care infrastructure.