Child Care Aware of Missouri Appoints Director to Lead New Initiative

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Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) has named Angela Franks as Director of its Child Care WAGE$ Missouri project. In this role, she will lead the launch and ongoing management of the organization’s new initiative designed to improve retention among early childhood educators in St. Louis County through education-based compensation. Franks will oversee directing and daily operations while cultivating strong partnerships with child care professionals and county stakeholders.

Childcare centers across Missouri grapple with staff retention issues

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As more discussions about supplying adequate, affordable childcare are had across the state, childcare centers continue to struggle with staff retention. Beth Ann Lang, deputy chief executive officer of Child Care Aware of Missouri, has been working to address Missouri’s childcare crisis for more than 20 years. Lang said there are many deep-rooted issues within the early childcare industry, but she feels that low wages and a lack of education requirements for workers in the field heavily impact turnover.

Early Progress Found with Cost-Sharing in Missouri

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American families continue to struggle to afford child care. In fact, in a 2026 national poll conducted on behalf of First Five Years Fund, 80% of voters said working parents’ ability to find and afford child care is in a “state of crisis” or a “major problem.” Without sufficient federal funding to fill the gap, some states are implementing cost-sharing models to provide relief for families.