Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors 66 Communities as Child Care Community Champions
Salina, Kansas – February 12, 2026
Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize 66 Kansas communities as Child Care Community Champions, honoring their dedication to strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is part of the Child Care Friendly Communities initiative—a statewide program that uplifts community-led efforts to make child care accessible, sustainable, and supportive for Kansas families and providers.
The Child Care Community Champion designation celebrates individuals, coalitions, and organizations making meaningful progress in one or more of four key pillars:
Child Care Impact Partner
Recognizes communities that have formed strong, diverse coalitions focused on expanding child care.
No Barriers, Bright Futures
Celebrates efforts to remove local policy barriers that make it difficult to open or expand child care programs.
Child Care Capacity Builders
Honors work that increases the number of available child care slots and improves access for Kansas families.
Backbone Support Initiative
Highlights investments in the well-being and sustainability of the child care workforce.
Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst praised the communities for modeling sustainable change for Kansas families.
“They are brilliant examples of how collaboration and commitment can lead to better outcomes for children and families when child care is treated as essential infrastructure,” Cohorst said. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and encourage others across the state to look to them for inspiration.”
2026 Child Care Community Champions
Allen — Allen County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; workforce well-being
Barber — City of Medicine Lodge: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Barton — Advancing Barton County Childcare: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Chautauqua — Chautauqua Daycare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Cheyenne — Cheyenne County Childcare Initiative: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Clark — LIFT Minneola: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Clay — Clay County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Comanche — Comanche County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Cowley — Legacy Regional Community Foundation: Capacity building
Crawford — Frontenac Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Crawford — Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce: Capacity building; workforce well-being
Decatur — Decatur County Child Care: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Douglas — The Rainbow Experience, Inc.: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Douglas — Early Care and Education Workgroup of Douglas County: Impactful coalition work; workforce well-being
Edwards — Edwards County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Elk — USD 282 Task Force: Capacity building
Ellis — Ellis County Child Care Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Ellis — Ellis Child Care Coalition: Capacity building
Ellis — Victoria Community Coalition, Inc.: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Finney — Finney County Childcare & Early Learning Network: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Ford — Child Care Coalition of Dodge City: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Ford — Child Care Coalition of Spearville: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Geary — Geary County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; policy reform efforts; capacity building; workforce well-being
Gove — Quinter Community Development: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Graham — Graham County Little Roosters Day Care Foundation: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Grant — USD 214 Ulysses: Capacity building; workforce well-being
Harper — Harper County: Capacity building; workforce well-being
Harvey — Child Care Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Jackson — Holton Community Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Jewell — Jewell County Strong, Inc.: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Johnson — Raising JOCO Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; policy reform efforts; workforce well-being
Kingman — Kingman Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Kiowa — Kiowa County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Labette — Labette County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Logan — Oakley Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Marion — Marion County Early Childhood Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Marshall — Marshall County Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
McPherson — McPherson County Child Care Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Miami — United Way of Miami County: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Montgomery — Coffeyville Area Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Morris — USD 417 Early Childhood Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Morton — Morton County Community Coalition: Impactful coalition work
Neosho — Neosho County Health Task Force: Impactful coalition work
Ottawa — Bennington Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Pawnee — Pawnee County Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Pottawatomie — USD 320 Wamego & Pottawatomie Child Care Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Rawlins — Rawlins County Childcare Stakeholders: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Reno — Pretty Prairie Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Reno — Reno County Child Care Task Force: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Republic — Growing Children Republic County Foundation: Impactful coalition work
Rice — Rice County Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; workforce well-being
Riley — Manhattan Chamber of Commerce: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Rooks — Plainville Wellness Coalition: Capacity building
Russell — Russell County Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Saline — Early Childhood Initiative: Impactful coalition work; policy reform efforts; capacity building; workforce well-being
Scott — Scott County Development Committee: Workforce well-being
Sedgwick — Harvey County Early Care and Education Coalition: Workforce well-being
Shawnee — Greater Topeka Partnership Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work
Sheridan — Sheridan County Community Foundation: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Sherman — Sherman County Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Stafford — Stafford County Childcare Committee: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Stevens/Seward/Haskell — Liberal Area Coalition for Families: Impactful coalition work; capacity building; workforce well-being
Wallace — Wallace County Community Child Care Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Wichita — Wichita County Childcare Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Wilson — Wilson County Early Childhood Coalition: Impactful coalition work; capacity building
Wyandotte — Raising WY-CO: Impactful coalition work; workforce well-being
Celebrate Your Child Care Friendly Community
Individuals and communities can earn recognition as Child Care Community Champions in many ways—from forming new coalitions to strengthening existing efforts. Through celebration, collaboration, and sustained investment, Child Care Aware of Kansas is working to create a brighter future for children and families across the state.
Does someone in your community deserve to be recognized? Contact us at communitysupport@ks.childcareaware.org, explore designation options, and nominate a local champion.
About Child Care Aware of Kansas
Child Care Aware of Kansas is a statewide organization dedicated to ensuring every Kansas family has access to quality, affordable child care. Through community partnerships, education, and advocacy, the organization helps strengthen early childhood systems and support children, families, and providers.
