This week is Step Up for Kids Week in Wyoming. According to organizers, statewide events are “part of a national effort to show widespread public support for a shift in spending priorities toward children and families.”Among the issues highlighted during the week: lack of health insurance, high juvenile incarceration, low graduation rates and the availability of child care. Wyoming organizers say lack of child care options continues to affect workers and their employers across the state.It's a problem that many parents right here in Powell face on a daily basis.News that Northwest College is considering closing its child care center during summer months couldn't have come at a more ironic time. Dana Young, NWC's vice president for student affairs, said, “funding is the challenge.”NWC's difficult dilemma is a prime example of why additional money is needed to subsidize child care centers around the state. The closure of the college center during the summer would force several families to pursue other options — possibly for the entire year. But the truth is, not many options exist.It's time for Wyomingites to step up and persuade state legislators to allocate additional money for child care throughout the state.

This week is Step Up for Kids Week in Wyoming.

According to organizers, statewide events are “part of a national effort to show widespread public support for a shift in spending priorities toward children and families.”

Among the issues highlighted during the week: lack of health insurance, high juvenile incarceration, low graduation rates and the availability of child care. Wyoming organizers say lack of child care options continues to affect workers and their employers across the state.

It's a problem that many parents right here in Powell face on a daily basis.

News that Northwest College is considering closing its child care center during summer months couldn't have come at a more ironic time. Dana Young, NWC's vice president for student affairs, said, “funding is the challenge.”

NWC's difficult dilemma is a prime example of why additional money is needed to subsidize child care centers around the state. The closure of the college center during the summer would force several families to pursue other options — possibly for the entire year. But the truth is, not many options exist.

It's time for Wyomingites to step up and persuade state legislators to allocate additional money for child care throughout the state.