Day Care Issues in Western ND - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Day Care Issues in Western ND

The oil boom has presented many challenges for Western North Dakota -- but perhaps one of the biggest challenges facing families is child care.

But this problem isn't limited to just the western parts of the state.

It is, in fact, a statewide problem.

A meeting held in Minot this afternoon by Vision West ND highlighted the childcare issues.

The Project's primary goal is to provide strategic planning in western North Dakota and today the presentation of the report "Exploring Future Needs of Child Care in North Dakota" was introduced.

The report included the need for both child care and providers, and explored the challenges to finding solutions.

Project Manager Shirly Brentrup says only 39% of needs regarding child care are currently being met in North Dakota.

(Shirley Brentrup, Project Director, Vision West North Dakota) "It is a problem statewide. There is as much need to daycare in Fargo and there is in Williston. So it is going to take everybody's effort, employers, universities, the legislature, cities, counties. Everybody has to get in on this one because it is a touch, tough issue."

More information on the Vision West ND Project can be found online at www.VisionWestND.com