Workforce-Ready Childcare: How Public Partnerships Are Expanding Access in El Paso County
Date: Thursday, May 22
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (AICP-CM: 1)
Holiday Ballroom 3
Speakers:
- Cristian Martinez, Manager, Economic Development Department, El Paso County, Texas
- Rogelio Luna, Industry Project Manager, Workforce Solutions Borderplex
- Carlos Gallinar, Principal, Able City
Resources:
Workforce-Ready Childcare: How Public Partnerships Are Expanding Access in El Paso County (presentation slides)
El Paso County, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex (WSB), is tackling one of the biggest workforce barriers—access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Through strategic collaboration and data-driven planning, the County and WSB have launched a feasibility study to assess the development of a downtown childcare center, identifying solutions to support working parents and strengthen the local labor market. This initiative aims to address childcare shortages by evaluating market demand, financial sustainability, and location feasibility, ensuring that businesses and employees alike can benefit from increased childcare capacity. Panelists will share insights on the study’s findings, discuss the role of public-private partnerships in solving workforce challenges, and explore policy strategies to create sustainable childcare solutions. Attendees will gain actionable takeaways on how local governments and workforce boards can drive childcare investments to support economic resilience and workforce participation.
This session is ideal for workforce development leaders, economic policymakers, and local government officials seeking innovative approaches to expanding childcare access as a critical workforce support strategy.
This session is eligible for Certification Maintenance credits with the American Institute of Certified Planners. If you are an AICP member and attend the session in full, you can add credits to your CM log by searching for the “National Economic Mobility and Opportunity Conference 2025” in the CM Search menu and selecting specific sessions from those associated with the event.
