States Offer Supplemental Wages to Retain Childcare Workers

This commentary provides insight on the way some states have addressed the need to retain childcare workers in the middle of widespread staffing shortages by supplementing their wages. However, research shows that ensuring all eligible childcare workers receive these wage supplements is a difficult task, as incomplete take-up is a constant issue across public benefit programs. The author outlines several key strategies state and local governments can use to ensure that eligible childcare workers leverage available benefits.