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Joint Initiatives pitches ballot option to close 15,000–16,000 childcare-spot gap
Summary
Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families told council El Paso County has roughly 48,000 children under 6 and about 18,308 licensed childcare spots, a shortfall it estimates at about 15,000–16,000 spots. The group outlined possible ballot-funded uses and said draft language and January polling are planned.
Sherry Lynn Boyle, CEO of Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families, told City Council on Nov. 24 that El Paso County faces a large shortage of licensed childcare spots and urged dialogue about a potential ballot measure to create funding and policy tools. Boyle said the county has "48,000" children under 6 and cited a county total of 18,308 licensed childcare spots, leaving a gap she estimated at about 15,000–16,000 spots if demand is assumed at 70% of families.
Boyle said costs are rising: she referenced a local average childcare cost previously cited at…
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