Athens, Ga. – Georgia child care providers have until March 2 to demonstrate their impact on the state’s economy and submit responses to a survey being conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia.
This study, which will determine the impact of the child care industry on Georgia’s economy, is the second time that Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has commissioned the Institute of Government to survey the more than 5,500 child care programs in Georgia. The first such study, conducted in 2007, showed that child care providers in Georgia generated $4.1 billion in revenues annually, while creating more than 61,000 jobs.
“The 2015 survey results can help form Georgia’s early care and education conversation,” said Theresa Wright director of the institute’s survey and research evaluation unit. “When we have the numbers and can demonstrate economic impact, public officials can make more informed early care and education decisions, businesses and philanthropists have the detailed information needed to offer private support, and advocates have statistical evidence to help explain the importance of early care and education.”
All survey responses are confidential and are for research purposes only. The department will not have access to individual responses. Findings from the study will be shared with state agencies, legislators and other policymakers to inform decision-making and help with planning.
“We highly encourage programs to take the time necessary to complete the survey,” said Carolyn Salvador, Georgia Child Care Association executive director. “The information that we gain by analyzing and reporting this early care collective data helps us tremendously with advocating for our own industry.”
The institute will work with researchers at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University to analyze and interpret the data from the survey. A final report will be released in autumn 2015. The results of the 2007 study are available at http://www.cviog.uga.edu/pdf/child-care/summary.
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government
The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia that conducts training, technical assistance and applied research to help state and local governments operate efficiently and effectively and provide improved service to the public.