Today, Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt was appointed Co-Chair of Governor Stein’s new Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. The task force was announced during a visit to Kate’s Korner Learning Center in Durham, where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor toured the center, met with providers, and spent time with children in a classroom. The Lieutenant Governor will serve as a Co-Chair of the Task Force with Senator Jim Burgin.
“North Carolinians are hardworking and we have incredible systems like our community colleges to prepare people for the jobs of today and tomorrow. However, none of that matters if parents can’t go to work with peace of mind knowing their kids are safe and supported,” said Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt. “This task force will help us take serious steps forward in tackling the child care crisis in North Carolina to make sure providers can keep their doors open, children can get the care they need and parents can get back to work.”
“When we invest in child care, everyone benefits. Parents get to keep working and keep building their careers. Small businesses can keep their productive workers. And most importantly, our kids get a nurturing and supportive environment where they can thrive during their formative years, one that will shape their entire educational trajectory,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am excited to launch this task force so that we can get to work together to make child care work for our kids, our employees, and our small businesses.”
Governor Stein issued an executive order formally establishing the Task Force on Child Care and Early Education, whose purpose is to identify strengths and gaps in the current system, strengthen public and private investment in child care infrastructure, and work to recruit and retain a strong child care workforce. The task force is constructed of state agency representatives, subject matter experts and elected officials and will meet once every other month to submit reports and recommendations to the Office of the Governor.
Lieutenant Governor Hunt’s policy platform, Future-Ready North Carolina, champions investments in child care and early childhood education and workforce development, in part through North Carolina’s community colleges. As a member of both the State Board of Education and Community College Board, the Lieutenant Governor will also emphasize Career and College-Ready Graduate Programs.
Read the Governor’s Executive Order here.
Read the Lieutenant Governor’s Future-Ready North Carolina plan here.
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