Yesterday, Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) and allies united parents, educators, faith leaders, and business leaders to launch Dallas Childcare Works, a new countywide coalition focused on expanding access to quality, affordable childcare.
Dallas Childcare Works is calling on the Dallas County Commissioners Court to place a childcare investment measure on the November 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would provide funding for childcare scholarships, out-of-school-time services, and provider stabilization efforts across the County.
DAI is advancing the proposal in response to a growing childcare crisis. Today, 19,000 Dallas County parents who want to work remain out of the workforce because they cannot afford childcare. Infant care in Greater Dallas costs approximately $12,000 a year, nearly the cost of UT Dallas in-state tuition. Childcare access issues also cost the regional economy nearly $4 billion annually.
Earlier this month, 150 DAI leaders packed the Dallas County Commissioners Court for the first public briefing of the childcare initiative, urging county leaders to let the voters decide on this critical funding measure.
Building on their work over the past year, DAI leaders have committed to continuing conversations with county officials, business leaders, and families directly impacted by the childcare crisis while ramping up their constituent outreach and Sign Up, Take Charge campaign. Through these efforts, DAI is building a broad-based constituency to secure this critical investment in Dallas children, working families, and the local economy.
Dallas Childcare Coalition Pushes for Countywide Funding Measure, The Dallas Morning News [pdf]
Dallas Leader Hear New Property Tax Proposals Targeting Homelessness, Childcare Funding, Fox4 KDFW [pdf] [video]
Dallas County Childcare Shortages are Becoming Chronic, Report Finds, The Dallas Morning News [pdf]
Dallas Childcare Works, KXAS [video]
Dallas County Childcare Tax Push Draws Packed House, Doubts, The Dallas Morning News [pdf]
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Yesterday, Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) and allies united parents, educators, faith leaders, and business leaders to launch Dallas Childcare Works, a new countywide coalition focused on expanding access to quality,...
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