Child Care Aware of Kansas Joins Cape
June 30, 2025
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Care Aware of Kansas (CCAKS) is officially joining Cape, a career and professional empowerment portal tailored for Kansas’ early childhood workforce.
Hear from the voices who matter most – Kansas workers.
Conduct a survey with your employees to evaluate their true child care needs. We have developed an employer survey you can utilize for this step. Collect feedback/responses, and evaluate what options are viable for your business/company to invest in.
If your business would like to utilize our employer survey, please fill out this form, and someone from our team will be in touch.
If you have any questions, please email communitysupport@ks.childcareaware.org.
Just as every child is unique, so too is every business. The challenges and opportunities you face are distinct to your organization, and the solutions that work best for you may differ from those of others. While the examples and strategies we provide have been successful for some businesses, your approach may need to be customized to suit the specific needs of your workforce. These resources are here to guide you, offering a range of options that can be adapted to fit your unique circumstances.
Build/purchase a child care center at or near your business. Employees are given priority with child care slots and/or discounted tuition.
Search for an appropriate space within or near your business that would serve well as a child care center.
You will need to connect with a KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) Licensing Specialist to learn more about the steps you will need to take to make sure the space will meet regulation requirements.
Child Care Subsidies/Dependent Flex Spending Accounts
A regular subsidy paid to the employee to go towards the cost of child care.
Connect with a tax expert or check out the Raising WYCO Child Care Assistance Tax Credit Toolkit.
The following business is currently offering child care stipends for their employees. If you would like to contact them directly for information or questions, please reach out to:
Bill Day, USD 405, 620-257-5196, bday@usd405.com
Partner/Purchase Slots from Local Child Care Providers
Choose a local provider to partner with to purchase a set amount of openings/slots to offer to your employees.
Research and have discussions with local child care providers in your area.
Come up with a plan with your selected provider to reserve/pre-purchase a set number of available slots to offer to your employees.
Adjust employees schedules accordingly to allow them to drop off/pick up their children from day care or school.
Consider implementing a flexible schedule policy.
Meet with staff or conduct a survey to see what type of schedule would be most beneficial.
Provide contacts/resources to employees to assist them in finding the quality and affordable child care option that works best for them.
Child Care Aware of Kansas offers several resources and resource center specialist services to help families find quality child care options in their area.
Offer a set amount of paid weeks for maternity and/or paternity leave for employees.
Offer a quality back-up child care option for employees when their primary child care provider is not available.
This employer roadmap is for senior leaders to understand what options are available to address childcare needs for working parents, primarily those working shifts during non-traditional hours. It also includes information about what to expect on the journey and how to put strategies into action for their business.
Family friendly workplaces support a parent’s ability to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment for their children. Child care is a top priority for employers.
This campaign supports Kansas workplaces in creating conditions that not only strengthen families, but increase recruitment, retention, and productivity in the workplace.
Find recommendations from our partners on how to become a Family Friendly Workplace.
Child Start – Child Care: A Top Priority for Employers
Kansas Power of the Positive: Family Friendly Workplace Campaign
Start your research here! Below, you’ll find articles, infographics, and other resources to help you explore the challenges and benefits of finding child care solutions for your employees.
Kansas businesses can apply to deduct from their state income taxes a portion of the child care expenses they incurred – such as providing child care for employees or helping employees pay for other child care.
Kansas Action for Children (KAC)
Provides accurate information to help improve policies to benefit children and families in Kansas. The KAC website has a webpage providing information about the Employer Child Care Tax Credit, which helps businesses assist their employees with child care costs, or provide child care themselves. kac.org
Raising WYCO
A highly effective strategy to support employee well-being is by providing child care assistance. Child care assistance not only boosts employee morale but can lead to substantial tax benefits. The Child Care Tax Credit Toolkit provides businesses with an understanding of the federal and Kansas tax credits that are available to businesses that offer child care benefits to their employees.
Additionally, the Tax Credit Calculator can support you in determining the applicable tax credit for the investment made towards child care assistance for your employees.
In completing this survey, you can help Raising WYCO better understand how the tax credit is being used throughout the state so that we can better advocate to ensure that the tax credit can be available as a long-term to support for employers supporting their employees with child care assistance.
Employer Guide to Childcare Assistance and Tax Credits
This guide provides detailed information on childcare tax credits and benefits options, and gives employers four things they can do to help their employees with childcare.
The Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit Guide
This credit offers employers a strategic advantage- reducing tax liability while addressing a key workforce need. It’s a powerful tool that can help businesses work toward improving employee retention, productivity, and satisfaction—essential for businesses competing in today’s talent-driven economy.
Local Child Care Coalitions
Forming a coalition is a necessary step in gaining insight and finding solutions to child care needs. Find a coalition near you.
Kansas Association of Community Foundations
An organization that provides resources such as online training opportunities and professional advisors to help communities meet their goals in expanding child care. kansascfs.org
Kansas United Ways
An organization that helps bring communities together to accomplish their goals. There are many United Ways branches located across Kansas. If your community is looking to expand child care, Kansas United Way would be an excellent partner to collaborate with to receive additional resources and support. unitedway.org/local/united-states/kansas#
Child Care Aware of Kansas
An organization that provides opportunities, connections, and support for parents, providers, and communities alike. We offer services through our child care referral system, professional development, child care health consultants, community outreach and engagement, and more! Go to our website to learn more. ks.childcareaware.org
Child Care Aware of Kansas (State Go Team)
A group that works to help solve barriers that communities face when building child care capacity. Members of this team include representatives from KDHE, KSDE, The Children’s Cabinet, Office of the State Fire Marshal, and more! goteam@ks.childcareaware.org
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Providers looking to become licensed in child care will apply and receive their license through KDHE. KDHE offers online resources for parents and providers. KDHE has a Licensing Specialist that can work with communities to receive orientation, education, and support. You can find a licensing specialist that works in your area on their website. kdhe.ks.gov/280/Child-Care-Licensing
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
DCF enrolls child care providers who are interested in providing child care to children of families who are issued Child Care Assistance benefits. They assist families in paying for child care costs through the Child Care Assistance program. dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Child_Care/ChildCareProviders.aspx
Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
OSFM works in partnership with KDHE to ensure the safety of child care facilities across the state. When purchasing, constructing, and updating a building, OSFM can provide the inspections and support needed to make sure your child care facility meets fire code. firemarshal.ks.gov/
Children Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
This is a federal program that offers reimbursement for healthy meals and snacks for children and adults. Child care centers and licensed or group day care homes are eligible to participate along with several other facilities. To find out additional information use the website below. CACFP – Home Page (ksde.org)
Kansas Action for Children (KAC)
Provides accurate information to help improve policies to benefit children and families in Kansas. The KAC website has a webpage providing information about the Employer Child Care Tax Credit, which helps businesses assist their employees with child care costs, or provide child care themselves. kac.org
All in for Kansas Kids
Seeks input from early childhood stakeholders through their Needs Assessment. With the results from this assessment, they develop their Strategic Plan to help address child care needs. This organization also offers grants, and grant support to help build child care capacity. kschildrenscabinet.org/all-in
NetWork Kansas Capital Loan Programs
NetWork Kansas matching loan programs are designed to support private capital by providing matching funds to assist startups. A variety of loan programs are offered based on geography, matching loan amounts, and project needs. networkkansas.com/connections/
Kansas Association for the Education of Young Children (KSAEYC)
An organization that offers professional development opportunities and resources to child care providers. ksaeyc.net/
Child Care Provider Coalition (CCPC)
An organization that functions as a support group for child care providers across Kansas. They work to help address common issues faced by child care providers and keep them up to date on issues including legislation, professional development, and quality improvements. ccpcofks.com
Kansas Child Care Training Opportunity (KCCTO)
KCCTO offers professional development opportunities. When building child care capacity, these training opportunities can help new providers with the education and support needed to offer high quality care. Thier KCCTO-KITS ITSN Project has a team of specialists that provide education, support, consultation, and technical assistance to child care providers working with infants and toddlers. kccto.org
Community Tool Box: Collective Impact
The Community Tool Box is a free, online resource for those working to build healthier communities and bring about social change. It offers thousands of pages of tips and tools for taking action in communities. ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents
Small Business Development Center
This is a great resource for those looking to open a new daycare or child care center. They provide support on the business perspective of increasing child care capacity in your community. www.kansassbdc.net/
Community Service Tax Credit Program
The Community Service Tax Credit Program (CSP) allows private, non-profit organizations and public health care entities to improve their ability to undertake significant capital campaigns for projects involving children and family services, non-governmental crime prevention, youth apprenticeship or youth technical training, and health care. www.kansascommerce.gov/program/community-programs/csp
Community Development Block Grant
All cities and counties in the state of Kansas may be eligible to apply for CDBG funds except for Johnson County, all towns within Johnson County, Kansas City, Manhattan, Lawrence, Topeka, Wichita and Leavenworth. The Department of Commerce distributes federal CDBG funds to Kansas cities and counties looking to improve their community. kansascommerce.gov/cdbg/
ACF Cost of Care Calculator
Helps you estimate the annual costs and revenue of operating a center or home-based child care program at different quality levels. childcareta.acf.hhs.gov/pcqc
Tom Copeland
Provides articles all about managing your child care business. tomcopelandblog.com
Collective Impact Forum
Collective impact provides resources and steps to help your community work collaboratively when building child care capacity. collectiveimpactforum.org
Planning a New Non-Profit-University of Missouri-Kansas City
This is a pre-recorded webinar that explains the steps needed to take to create a new non-profit. If your child care facility is looking to apply to be a 501(c)3 non-profit, this is a great resource for you. umkc.box.com/s/2ims3t58qnlp96j1m0w0o4tkvbfqw6wb
CHILD CARE AWARE OF KANSAS CONTACTS
If your community seeks support to help build child care capacity, please email our Community Support Team to get connected with a Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator.
In 2023 Moms First and Boston Consulting Group worked to document the return on investment when companies invest in child care benefits for their employees.
This report underscores the undeniable correlation between robust child care benefits and a thriving workforce, highlighting how companies stand to gain immensely from investing in the well-being of working parents.
Hear directly from Kansas businesses who have been thinking outside of the box to tackle child care challenges for their employees.
We interviewed representatives from five Kansas businesses who shared their experiences in obtaining and implementing childcare benefits for their employees.
These businesses range from small, family-owned steel manufacturers to a school district, providing us with valuable insights into the current landscape. They discussed the challenges they’ve faced, the successes they’ve achieved, and the resources that can benefit other businesses like theirs.
Care Aware of Kansas (CCAKS) is officially joining Cape, a career and professional empowerment portal tailored for Kansas’ early childhood workforce.
Case Study: Child Care Assistance Attracts High Quality Workforce for Dick’s Drive-In
In 1954, Dick Spady and partners founded Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants, a classic burger, fry and shake establishment located in Seattle, Wash., with a three-part business philosophy. “One: Make a profit. Two: Invest in employees. And three: Invest in community.” Now more than 70 years later, the business is still in the family with soon-to-be 10 restaurants located throughout the Seattle area.
While a plain hamburger at Dick’s Drive-In no longer costs 19 cents (instead it’s $2.50), the business’s founding principles ring true today. Burger chains aren’t typically known for robust compensation, but Dick’s Drive-In leads their industry in pay and benefits that include free health insurance, retirement matching, scholarships, and — since the mid-1990s — child care assistance. It’s a package that helps to pay the business back: According to Spady’s granddaughter and current president Jasmine Donovan, Dick’s Drive-In Restaurants boasts one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry.
Case Study: Child Care Assistance Attracts High Quality Workforce for Dick’s Drive-In
An engaged community group created a tax credit toolkit for Kansas employers.
As we move into a new year, communities all over Kansas are working to implement local solutions to the child care crisis.
Throughout Kansas, numerous communities are seeking increased child care options. Often, these enhancements require collaborative community efforts to tackle local obstacles that hinder the availability of child care slots.
Your donation to Child Care Aware of Kansas is an investment in our state's future. Join our efforts towards ensuring accessible, affordable, high-quality child care for every child.
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