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Update with Patty Cantrell, of New Growth, and Jennifer Caldwell with Missouri's Office of Childhood

KNEM/KNMO-FM Radio

Today on Update, I am talking with Patty Cantrell, Project Manager at New Growth, and Jennifer Caldwell, Southwest Missouri Community Leader for Missouri's Office of Childhood. We will be discussing the fact that Vernon and Cedar Counties are being called a "Childcare Desert" because there isn't enough available childcare for working parents. Patty and Jennifer say this is especially true for zero to 2-year-old children. We talk about how lack of childcare affects our local workforce and the economy of these two counties. Finally, we go over solutions to the child care problem we have in Vernon and Cedar counties. You can get more information at NewGrowthMo.org.