Light Lab Live
The Childcare Cliff: When Working More Means Losing More
Join us for Light Lab Live, the Institute for Family’s monthly lunch and learn series where we dive into timely topics that shape the lives of families and the professionals who support them across sectors.
For many North Carolina families, earning a little more money should create greater stability. Instead, it can trigger a crisis.
Join us for the next Light Lab Live discussion as we explore The Childcare Cliff. As childcare costs continue to rise, many families find themselves caught between two impossible realities: earning too much to qualify for childcare assistance, yet far too little to afford quality childcare on their own.
This discussion will unpack how the state’s childcare subsidy system can create a “cliff effect,” where a modest increase in income can result in the sudden loss of thousands of dollars in childcare support. The consequences extend far beyond individual families, affecting workforce participation, child development, economic mobility, and the sustainability of the childcare sector itself.
Join Us:
August 19, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Register here
Who Should Attend
Home visitors, family resource center staff, social workers, pediatric and healthcare providers, early childhood professionals, workforce development specialists, educators, community advocates, policymakers, and anyone committed to strengthening outcomes for children and families.
Key Takeaways
- What the childcare subsidy cliff is and why it affects so many North Carolina families.
- How childcare costs compare to household incomes across urban and rural communities.
- Why families can become financially worse off after losing childcare assistance, even when their earnings increase.
- The impact of childcare affordability on workforce participation, particularly for parents of young children.
- How access to quality childcare influences child development, school readiness, and family stability.
Event Information
August 19, 2026
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Register here