BISMARCK, N.D. (Prairie News Service) – A portion of American Rescue Plan funding sent to North Dakota has yet to be divvied up.

Groups that want to improve the child-care system say the state shouldn’t miss an opportunity to boost access and affordability. Some of the funds North Dakota received from the federal pandemic-relief package back in March have already been spent or set aside. But there’s still room to distribute roughly $700 million dollars of the aid.

April Fairfield with of the North Dakota Children’s Caucus says dedicating substantial funding for child care should be a priority.

She says more aid would help with worker shortage issues. This week, legislative committees will hold more meetings on what to do with the remaining funds. Governor Doug Burgum’s priorities include matching grants for employers who offer a child-care benefit. But Prairie Action ND says his plan commits only 2% of funding to address the crisis, and looks to the Legislature to change that.

Xanna Burg, the KIDS COUNT coordinator for North Dakota, says the statewide average child-care cost for an infant is 13% of a family’s budget. She thinks that’s a good place to start in committing federal funds.

She says failing to boost child-care workers’ pay could force more providers to close, creating economic harm to the state. Earlier this year, a KIDS COUNT report said 14 North Dakota counties meet less than 60-percent of the child-care demand for working families.

Votes are expected during this weeks committee meetings to advance proposals for the Legislature to consider in special session.