Join us for a policy discussion with Ariel Ford, Director of Child Development and Early Education at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. An expert on childcare and early education, Ariel leads the state’s efforts to provide more options to a wider demographic of children across North Carolina. One-time federal dollars, used to keep teachers paid and childcare centers open, will run out in July and those centers will have to figure out how to pay their teachers and stay open without that economic lifeline. Businesses are struggling more and more with the reality that as communities grapple with a shortage of options for young children, employees have limited options as they seek to return to work while also caring for their children. The General Assembly is considering deregulation and increased state spending, but both come with concerns about child safety and the long-term impact on the state budget.