United Way of Kentucky is asking Governor Beshear to prioritize Kentucky’s child care workforce in vaccination plan

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The United Way of Kentucky is asking Governor Beshear and the Cabinet to prioritize Kentucky’s child care workforce in Phase 1b of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

That would allow child care workers simultaneous access with K-12 personnel.

Twenty organizations across the state have expressed strong support for the request including local United Ways, early childhood partners, and others throughout the state.

Child care workers spend their days watching children for parents who may be busy working or in school.

Hundreds of Kentucky child care and early learning programs have reported that they have had to close when employees, children, or family members quarantined due to exposure or contraction of COVID-19.

Phase 1b is already in effect in the state, meaning if the Governor and his cabinet agree to include day care workers in the vaccination phase, they would be eligible immediately.