CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Goodwill of South-Central Ohio is set to open a childcare center later this year in Chillicothe, in a bid to assist more parents in returning to the workforce.
The initiative comes after some of the organization’s employees reported difficulty in finding affordable childcare. “Even when childcare is available, it’s also often unaffordable,” said Goodwill CEO Marvin Jones.
A report from the Department of Labor revealed that Ross County families with a median household income of $60,417 spend 12 percent of their income to send an infant or toddler to a childcare center each year.
The daycare center will provide subsidized childcare through Job and Family Services and private pay. Goodwill’s board of trustees voted to move forward with plans to open a daycare center during its December meeting.
The center will initially provide services for up to 50 children in the current Goodwill administrative offices on Western Avenue.
The center is expected to open in late summer, with job openings and enrollment available on its website gwisco.org/childcare.