Employers, researchers highlight public‑private models and economic losses from childcare gaps

SACRAMENTO — Employers, chambers of commerce and economic researchers told the California State Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs that employers can be part of the solution to childcare access — but no single employer‑led approach will substitute for state investment in subsidies and provider pay.

Ashley Hoffman, senior policy advocate for the California Chamber of Commerce, told the committee she surveyed members and found about 30 percent of responding employers offer some childcare‑related benefit, ranging from dependent care flexible spending accounts and on‑site or near‑site care to informal policies like bringing children to work or flexible schedules. Hoffman said employer benefits often improve retention but can be costly and are not one‑size‑fits‑all; she also described examples of public‑private pilots in other states, such as…