UC economists weigh in on impact of Ohio’s Child Care Cred Program

Benefits and drawbacks of new $10 million child care program

In September, Governor Mike DeWine announced the start of the $10 million Child Care Cred Program. It’s available to families making between 200% and 400% of federal poverty guidelines, according to reporting from the Ohio Capital Journal.

Lindner College of Business economics professors David Brasington and Michael Jones were part of a recent Scioto Analysis survey asking 20 economic experts their takes on the new initiative. The survey asked about the program’s potential benefits and limitations for both children and their parents. 

Brasington was one of 13 economists who thought the program could be beneficial for kid’s economic futures in particular.

“There is pretty strong evidence that attending a quality daycare causes increased school performance, especially initially, and wages later in life,” Brasington commented in the survey.

Jones, conversely, argued that research shows longer parental leave times see better outcomes for parents and their kids. “Ohio shouldn’t be creating incentives that encourage parents to spend less time with their children,” he added. 

Read the full Ohio Capital Journal report

Featured image at top of a group of children with a caregiver. Photo/Adobe Stock

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