WEST END, Ohio (WKRC) – The Learning Grove child care facility at Citylink takes care of 64 kids, mostly infants and toddlers, with parents who live in the area or who take classes at Citylink.

Program Director Dr. Chenelle Price says that could be even more, but there’s a waiting list because the 16-site agency doesn’t have enough teachers. It’s a common problem throughout the industry, especially with smaller providers.

"If we have a struggle as a large agency, I can only imagine that it would be a struggle for them as well,” Price said.

Mayor Aftab Pureval's new proposed budget includes $1 million that would go to child care facilities like this one and others to recruit and train new teachers.

Ohio Organizing Collaborative co-executive director Prentiss Haney says expanded child care access will also help more kids succeed.

"We must have strong child care infrastructure as the first step, sort of the first line to eliminate childhood poverty," Haney said.

Pureval says 88% of day cares in the city are owned by minorities and most are small businesses.

"This investment in an industry that is hurting also has a powerful racial equity impact,” Pureval said.

Cincinnati City Council Member Greg Landsman pushed for the funding and may ask for more in the final budget.

"We have got to invest in getting people back to work," Landsman said.

City Council has to approve this program along with the rest of the budget since council members have the final say on spending. The due date on that is June 30.

But both Landsman and Pureval say they have the support behind this program to get it included.