Situation: A state economic development association and their affiliate nonprofit think tank sought assistance gathering and analyzing the numerous studies, surveys and reports on childcare and its impact on the state’s economy in recent years. The Association identified the lack of affordable childcare and its impact on the workforce and economic development, as a critical issue for their organization to address. The Association needed Baker Tilly to gather all relevant information and produce a credible unbiased review of the data to aid in their understanding and advocacy around this issue.

Baker Tilly solution: Baker Tilly and Association staff worked together to identify initial leads to data sources and set a rough timeline for stages of project completion. The project had three main stages to be completed by Baker Tilly staff:

• Assemble the relevant work that has been completed on the topic of childcare and its impact on the workforce and economy of the state. Coinciding with informational interviews of key stakeholders and participants in the state’s childcare and economic development discussion.
• Review and analyze the gathered research, studies, and interviews to gain a deeper and more nuanced view of the issue. Paying special attention to the impacts of childcare affordability on the diverse communities of the state, from urban to rural and statewide to county level.
• Produce a holistic high-level written work product that is an easily digestible overview of the current childcare landscape in the state. Including access and affordability challenges and how those impact various levels of the economy and workforce.

The Association wasn’t certain what the end product would look like until after all the relevant information had been gathered and analysis had begun. Due to this, Baker Tilly communicated throughout each stage of the process to gather feedback on progress made and to crystalize the Association’s further needs and goals for the project.

Result: Through the flexible plan offered by Baker Tilly, the Association gained a better understanding of both the issue and its goals and objectives for the project. Baker Tilly delivered an extensive overview package consisting of an infographic-filled fact sheet to be used by the Association in their advocacy efforts; a collection of all relevant studies and surveys conducted by various groups in the state in recent years; detailed notes and analysis on both the collection of research and interviews with stakeholders; and an executive summary outlining the problem with links to relevant facts and statistics.

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly specialists can help, contact our team.