Summit to Look Into Future of Child Care

The child care industry’s social and economic impact in Ventura County will be a topic of discussion at a child care “summit” May 7 in Camarillo.

Speakers will talk about the importance of child care in ensuring the region’s economic vitality, said Patty McWaters, who is helping to organize the conference.

Organizers will also outline ways that cities, the county and business can work to build a supply of quality child care, McWaters said.

“It’s critical that we begin to plan for the growth of child care,” McWaters said. “Our population is growing and the number of jobs is growing. Child care has to keep up with that.”

Child care is a $142-million industry that supports 7,700 jobs in Ventura County, according to a new report that will be reviewed at the summit. With the number of working families on the rise, the need for more child care is apparent.

The report’s authors argue that federal government, states, local communities and the private sector must all play a role in helping families afford quality care.

Keynote speakers include Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey, Ventura County schools chief Charles Weis and Julie Sinai of the National Economic Development & Law Center in Oakland, which issued the report.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at California State University, Channel Islands. The cost is $35 per person and advance registration is requested. To register, call Patty McWaters at 585-6458 or Carrie Murphy at 988-8903.