As working parents and child care facilities struggle nationwide, national lawmakers are hoping to fix some of today’s biggest challenges in the industry.

State leaders are encouraging Virginians to take part in a new childcare program.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. The child care crisis in Roanoke County has reached another setback. A new task force to address child care and virtual learning needs in the community recently started pop-up child care centers in local churches. Nancy Hans with the Prevention Council of Roanoke County and CommUNITY Church Pastor Tom McCracken serve on the new task force, made up of Roanoke County Public Schools, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club and United Way. Its not something that weve ever done before.To sign up a child, contact United Way of Roanoke Valley or visit smart2start.org. The task force is also looking for more churches to get on board and provide space for the child care centers.

ROANOKE, Va. Roanoke leaders and community partners are scrambling to finalize a plan for child care as they work to confront the challenges that come with virtual learning before school starts at the end of the month. The city is working with organizations like the United Way to finalize plans for a virtual academy. Theyre trying to find facilities to provide internet access and child care and that will require hiring hundreds of workers. McMahan encourages anyone interested in applying for a job to do so during a virtual job fair through Virginia Career Works happening Aug. 6 from 1 to 5 p.m. Click here to learn more. Click here for applications to find child care.

ROANOKE, Va. In the mad rush to find child care this fall, the Science Museum of Western Virginia is offering one alternative. The museum is launching The LAB, an in-person, educational program that will supplement childrens virtual learning when theyre not in school. There is still a lot up in the air for the childcare centers: from staffing, to space, to hours and availability. One community partner, United Way of Roanoke Valley, is working to put all the puzzle pieces together. Not a single program, not a single agency will be able to help all that needs to be served, said United Way of Roanoke Valleys CEO Abby Hamilton.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. Roanoke County school leaders are coming together with local organizations to try to start a conversation about how to address child care needs during the upcoming school year. That was the focus of Wednesdays school board work session in Roanoke County. Roanoke County School Board members discuss childcare with members of local organizations. Representatives from around a dozen organizations discussed ideas with Roanoke County School Board members. The executive director of the Prevention Council of Roanoke, Nancy Hans, said multiple churches have reached out, asking how they can help.