You care about your community and your state, and you’ve likely heard or experienced the impact child care challenges are having on Kansas kids, families, businesses, towns, and neighborhoods. Developing a stronger early care and education system can be complex, and you might not feel like the best person to contribu te to this work.
Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Many small-scale solutions have already worked and the families and providers in your community know what they need. By learning more about the issue and working alongside us — and with others in your region — you can have a significant impact with less effort and fewer resources than you might expect.
Research child care data in your community. Determine if there is a need for additional child care slots.
View your county’s child care data.
Forming a coalition is an important step in gaining insight and finding solutions to child care needs.
Find a coalition near you.
Creating a plan to increase child care capacity in your community involves a thoughtful and strategic approach.
Step-by-step guide for coalitions.
Click on your county in the map below to connect with your local Community Outreach & Engagement Coordinator. They’re here to answer your questions and help you access the resources and support you need.
Initial coalition-forming, a preliminary needs assessment, or other key activities to build initial readiness.
Connect with a consultant today!
Child Care Aware can provide presentations tailored to individual community needs on a variety of topics, including coalition building, data on the child care landscape, resources for child care initiatives, and business/employer support for child care.
Connect today to get started!
Securing funding for community coalitions is both vital and challenging. Sources of funding are varied, and Child Care Aware continually monitors current and upcoming opportunities for communities to access resources. If you have questions about funding opportunities, please contact our Community Outreach & Engagement Team at communitysupport@ks.childcareaware.org.
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NetWork Kansas Capital Loan Programs
NetWork Kansas matching loan programs are designed to support private capital by providing matching funds to assist startups and existing businesses that are expanding. A variety of loan programs are offered based on geography, matching loan amounts, and project need.
Ongoing support is tailored to the readiness, pace, and scale of each community to support successful execution of their goals/action plan.
While the experience is customized for each community, our follow-up support for communities will focus on ongoing support for coalition-building and strategic implementation of community goals/plans.
We have curated a list of resources to assist communities in their journey to expand childcare capacity.
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. www.unitedway.org/find-your-united-way
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/services/loans/.
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
Civitas
Provides articles from authors such as Tom Copeland on managing your child care business. civitas.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.
Building a effective coalition is essential for influencing public policy. It is vital to demonstrate the widespread impact or potential consequences of the policy. Identify those who stand to benefit from the proposed policy change and actively involve them in coalition efforts.
Engage key stakeholders, including parents, childcare providers, local businesses, policymakers, and community leaders. Gather insights into their perspectives, concerns, and ideas. Establish a collaborative approach that involves everyone invested in the well-being of children.
Learn how the child care business model works when building childcare capacity in your community by using Child Care Aware of Kansas’ Child Care Budget Tool.
Check here to see if there is already a coalition in your community.
Need help getting started? Contact us.
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 encourage businesses in your community to become Family Friendly Workplaces.
Child Start – Child Care: A Top Priority for Employers
Kansas Power of the Positive: Family Friendly Workplace Campaign
The Child Care Go Team (CCGT) complements existing community outreach and engagement efforts by supporting communities in overcoming local zoning and municipal code barriers, all while advancing the shared mission to expand access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care and education across Kansas.
Advancing equitable access to high-quality child care for Kansas families and communities takes all of us working together. Decision-makers need to hear from families, early care and education professionals, and communities about issues that matter. We can all be part of the solution by speaking up for policies that improve our early care and education system. Join our efforts by getting involved today.
Get updates, learn about Kansas legislature, and get engaged today.
Economists have found that investments in quality early childhood care & education leads to more effective public schools, improved public health, less crime, and more educated, skilled workforce, as well as a better overall quality of life!
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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