Family Child Care Expansion Project is Now Available in Select Kansas Counties
Child Care Aware of Kansas and our statewide network of Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies are excited to share information about a new initiative aimed at supporting the home-based child care workforce and expanding available child care in targeted areas throughout the state.
We have received funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce to launch the Family Child Care Expansion Project (FCC-EP).
This project is a true network effort. Child Care Aware of Kansas along with our regional CCR&R partners will be on the ground delivering direct services. We have Quality Improvement (QI) Coaches specifically designed to support the unique needs of family child care providers.
We are currently recruiting potential providers in the following counties and would value your help connecting us with those that might have an interest in opening a family child care business.
Atchison
Bourbon
Butler
Cowley
Edwards
Franklin
Harvey
Jackson
Kingman
Leavenworth
Miami
Osage
Rice
Rush
Stafford
Sumner
Wyandotte
Quality Improvement Coaches will work side-by-side with new providers, supporting them through the licensing process. Providers will receive business support, health and safety items, funding for required professional development, and mentorship to help them learn the ins and outs of family child care.
If you know someone who may be interested, please share this email address so they can connect with a Coach and get their questions answered: providersupport@ks.childcareaware.org
Full Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2026
Child Care Aware of Kansas Launches Family Child Care Expansion Project with Support from Kansas Department of Commerce
To strengthen home-based child care and expand access for Kansas families.
Child Care Aware of Kansas has been awarded a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce to implement a new pilot initiative aimed at strengthening the home-based child care industry and addressing the ongoing child care shortage in targeted counties across the state.
The Family Child Care Expansion Project will focus on recruiting and supporting new home-based child care providers while strengthening retention efforts for those already serving Kansas families. Through coaching, professional training, mentorship, and business development assistance, the project seeks to expand the availability of high-quality child care options statewide.
“High quality childcare is essential to our state’s growth. We can add as many new job opportunities as we want but it’s unsustainable if we don’t have reliable childcare for working families,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “This initiative will unlock new business opportunities not only for providers but for the families that utilize those providers, ensuring we maintain our historic economic momentum.”
The initiative will be implemented by the Kansas Child Care Resource and Referral Network, which includes Child Care Aware of Kansas, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, Child Start, and Futures First. Together, the network partners will leverage statewide resources, foster community collaboration, and develop sustainable strategies to support long-term growth and stability within the child care workforce.
Leaders hope the project will serve as a replicable model for improving child care access, supporting economic development, and benefiting children, families, and providers across Kansas.
“A strong child care system benefits everyone, families, early childhood professionals, and local economies,” said Kami Cohorst, Interim Executive Director of Child Care Aware of Kansas. “Reliable child care keeps parents working, strengthens communities, and delivers lasting benefits for children and families.”
Kansas is home to 209,647 children under the age of six, including 146,710 children with both parents in the workforce. These families rely on safe, high-quality early learning environments supported by a strong provider network and accessible care options. Home-based child care is especially critical in rural communities, where family child care homes are often the only option for working parents.
Recruitment for the Family Child Care Expansion Project began in March 2026 in targeted counties across Kansas, with the pilot running through December 2026.
For more information about the Family Child Care Expansion Project, contact:
Child Care Aware of Kansas
ks.childcareaware.org
info@ks.childcareaware.org
