12:00: Who will take care of the kids? Rural families navigate child care deserts
1:00: Paying for your commute; detention center data; songs of peace and protest
Families in rural areas of New York say it is increasingly difficult to find child care. According to a report from the Children's Agenda, seven rural counties in Western New York shows can be characterized as child care deserts, where there are more than three children under the age of five per licensed child care slot for children in that age group. Structural and funding issues are contributing to the challenges, and providers point to low child care educator pay as a critical factor in the availability of reliable care. So what can be done? Our guests discuss it:
- Pete Nabozny, director of policy for The Children's Agenda
- Rachel Bonsignore, executive director of Liftoff Western New York
- Kathleen Valley, executive board member for Praisings Kids Child Care Center in Medina
- Taryn Moyle, child care resource center program manager for Community Action of Orleans and
Genesee, Inc. - Lindsey Dailey, parent
Then in our second hour, it's our weekly news roundup with WXXI journalists. First, deputy editor Jeremy Moule explains proposed legislation that would enable employees to set aside pre-tax money for commuting expenses. Then, Gino Fanelli reports that the number of non-criminals held at the federal immigration detention facility in Batavia has soared in recent months. We talk about how that reflects national trends. And finally, some music. We're joined by local artists in advance of a concert featuring songs of peace and protest. In studio:
- John Dady, singer, instrumentalist, and musician with the Dady Brothers; and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert
- John Kelley, musician in Kelley's Heroes, and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert
- Paul Vincent Nunes, leader of The Occasional Saints and The P.V. Nunes Band, and co-producer of the RiseUpROC concert
"Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.
