OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla — There's a new statewide program that's aimed at addressing Oklahoma's childcare crisis.

It's called Oklahoma Strong Start and it offers free childcare to those who work at a licensed childcare facility.

"55 percent of the state of Oklahoma live in what's called a childcare desert and that means there aren't enough licensed childcare spaces available to meet the needs of working families in those areas," said Carrie Williams, executive director, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness.

By covering the costs of childcare, Williams hopes it brings workers back into the field and keep others from, leaving.

"Childcare is really expensive, the average cost of care for an infant in the state of Oklahoma is over $12,000 a year," said Williams.

Williams says that's abou

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