Tri-Share: A New Initiative to Make Child Care More Affordable in North Carolina

Child care costs have long been a significant burden for many families, exacerbating financial stress and limiting job opportunities. In North Carolina, a new pilot program called Tri-Share is tackling this issue by offering a novel solution that splits child care costs among employers, employees, and the state. This initiative aims to provide financial relief to families and support local businesses by making quality child care more accessible.

The Child Care Crisis

The cost of child care in North Carolina is notoriously high, often reaching levels comparable to tuition at state universities. According to recent statistics, families pay an average of $1,000 per month for child care, putting it beyond the reach of many working parents. For many, finding affordable options means relying on informal care arrangements, such as family members or neighbors. However, this approach may not be reliable or safe, and it places the responsibility solely on the parents.

“Child care is a problem,” stated Scott Brewton, vice president of St. Joseph of the Pines, a retirement home in Moore County. “It’s not unique to Moore County. It’s a problem everywhere: not enough child care facilities, the cost of child care, finding people to work in child care.”

Introducing Tri-Share

To address these challenges, North Carolina launched the Tri-Share pilot program in 2024. Funded by the state legislature, Tri-Share splits the cost of child care into three parts: employers, eligible employees, and the state each contribute a third of the total expense. This innovative approach aims to make quality child care more affordable and accessible for families across the state.

While Tri-Share does not directly address the broader supply issues of child care, it offers a practical solution for many families facing financial hardship. The program has the potential to unleash new opportunities by allowing a second family member to enter the workforce, benefiting both the company and the economy.

How Tri-Share Works

The initial funding for Tri-Share came from a $900,000 allocation by the state in 2023, covering three regions across 15 counties. The program is modeled after a successful initiative in Michigan and has since expanded to cater to businesses throughout North Carolina.

Participating employers allocate slots for their eligible employees, setting the stage for cost-sharing payments to child care providers. Employees who qualify based on income levels can enroll their children and start reaping the benefits. The state’s contribution further Lightens the financial burden on both employers and families.

“It’s just a whole lot of people who could use some help,”_stated Stuart Mills, executive director of Partners for Children and Families of Moore County. “It’s extremely expensive to put your kid in child care. It’s as much as sending your kids to a state university. And it’s extremely important.”

Benefits for Employers and Employees

For employers, Tri-Share offers a competitive advantage by creating a positive work environment that supports employees’ family responsibilities. By reducing the financial strain of child care, employers can attract and retain a skilled workforce, ultimately boosting productivity and morale.

Employees, particularly those in the child care industry, benefit significantly from the program. Many child care providers offer discounts to their own staff, and Tri-Share adds an additional layer of cost relief, making it more feasible for employees to stay in the field.

“If you take off two-thirds of that amount of money, the parents are probably going to have enough to pay car payments, utility bills, maybe their mortgage,” said Ann Benfield, executive director of Cabarrus Partnership for Children. “It makes a huge difference in their financial stability.”

Challenges and Future Prospects

While Tri-Share shows promise, there are challenges to overcome. Administering the program requires significant resources and time, with facilitators tasked with recruiting employers, child care providers, and conducting awareness campaigns. Additionally, the current income eligibility threshold may limit participation for some families.

“Pilots do take some time to gain traction,” said Mary Scott, director of strategic partnerships at the North Carolina Partnership for Children. “It’s just really spending some more time educating folks and letting them know more about it and how they can sign on.”

To improve the program’s effectiveness, there are discussions about increasing administrative funding and raising the income threshold. These changes could make Tri-Share more attractive to a wider range of employers and families, potentially expanding its reach and impact.

Real-Life Impact

The positive effects of Tri-Share are already beginning to show. Jasmine Baker, an assistant teacher at Sunshine Schools NC, is one of the many employees benefiting from the program. With her income, the original cost of child care would have been prohibitive, but the combination of her employer’s discount and Tri-Share’s cost-sharing reduced her weekly payments significantly.

“It makes it a lot more doable,” Baker said. “Like we can just not eat out one night that month.” This reduction in costs has allowed her to pursue further education and plan for a long-term career in child care.

Program leaders highlight the dual benefits of supporting both families and child care providers. By making high-quality care more affordable, businesses can retain skilled workers, boost employee satisfaction, and create a more stable workforce.

Tri-Share Recruitment Week

To encourage more businesses to participate, North Carolina Partnership for Children has organized Recruitment Week from March 17 to 21. This week of events includes both in-person and online information sessions to educate potential employers and employees about the program.

“We were willing to put our foot out there and say we’ll go first and assume the administrative burden on top of all of the other things that we do, because we really believe this would benefit our area,” Shannon White, executive director of Cleveland County’s Smart Start partnership, said about her organization’s role in the pilot.

Conclusion

Tri-Share represents a promising step toward addressing the child care crisis in North Carolina. By creating a cost-sharing model that involves employers, employees, and the state, the program aims to make high-quality child care more accessible and affordable for families. As the initiative expands and faces new challenges, its potential to benefit both communities and the economy is immense.

Employers looking to create a supportive work environment and employees seeking financial relief should consider learning more about this innovative program. Together, we can make meaningful strides in addressing one of the most pressing issues facing North Carolina families.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Tri-Share initiative and its impacts. Your support and participation can make a difference.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts on this important topic. You can subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and comment below to share your experiences and insights.