Indiana rates 24th in the nation for children under the age of 17 living without health insurance.  Much better than I thought it would be, but the best state to live in as of 2005 was Michigan. 

Another Indiana statistic, figured from my counties average market rate for childcare for a four year old:  One year of childcare for a four year old in my county in Indiana (and we are a much lower market rate than the Indianapolis, Carmel, Geist, etc) is $4680.  One year at Indiana University per term is $2895 and you can take anywhere from 12 to 17 credit hours for that rate because IU has a fixed tuition rate.  So childcare for a four year old is $4680 and tuition only at IU is $5790.

Granted, the four year old will get breakfast, lunch, snack, and if you have a good daycare, all their learning supplies for that cost, but still………….  By the time that child enters school, she won’t have a Bachelors Degree.  If she’s lucky, she’ll know her alphabet.  The rates for infants are at least $30 a week higher. 

I know it seems like I’m pointing a finger at myself here, talking about childcare rates, but I’ll let you in on a little secret.  I care for mostly children on state vouchers-the low income kids.  If I have a parent who is honestly trying and having trouble, I work with them.  I will charge far below market rate.  I have a parent who just got off the waiting list for vouchers and I’ve had her two kids in care since May.  She has an infant who’s now six months old and a three year old.  I was caring for both those kids at $10 per day.  Yep, $50 if they were here all week, less if they were here less.  I do what I can to change things and I’m really in no better financial position than most of the parents I have as clients except I don’t pay for childcare. 

Sometimes my family gets irritated with me because I seem to let people take advangtage of me.  I am told all the time I can’t “save them all.”  That I’m “running a business and should run it that way and not give away services”, but why shouldn’t I do what I can to make a difference, even if it’s just one child? 

If we all step up, one person at a time, maybe things will change.  Until then, I’ll do what I can on my end as long as my ends are meeting to help one single parent at a time.