Our Organization
Child Care Aware of Kansas has been the trusted statewide resource for child care since 1992. Here's a closer look at who we are, how we work, and the people behind the mission.
Who We Are
Child Care Aware of Kansas
We are a statewide nonprofit organization and the lead Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency for Kansas. We are part of a national network of child care resource and referral agencies affiliated with Child Care Aware of America — the country's leading voice on child care policy and access.
Our work spans four interconnected areas:
Families
We operate a free Resource Center that helps Kansas families find licensed child care, understand their financial assistance options, and navigate the process of choosing care they can trust.
Providers
We support licensed child care providers across Kansas through coaching, professional development, quality improvement programs, business tools, and connections to funding opportunities.
Communities
We help community leaders, coalitions, and local organizations build child care solutions — providing data, toolkits, rapid-response support, and recognition for communities making child care a priority.
Businesses
We work with Kansas businesses to help them understand how child care affects their workforce and identify strategies that support working parents.
Grounding all of this work is a commitment to data. CCAKS maintains county-level child care data for all 105 Kansas counties — tracking supply, demand, cost, and availability — so that families, providers, community leaders, and policymakers have what they need to make informed decisions.
Our Network
How Our Network Works
Child care in Kansas isn't served by a single office, it's delivered through a regional network. Here's how it works.
Child Care Aware of Kansas is the statewide lead agency. We set direction, manage statewide programs and data, coordinate policy and advocacy efforts, and support the regional agencies that deliver services locally.
Kansas is divided into four Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) regions, each served by a dedicated local agency with staff who know their communities. These agencies are the ones answering the phone when a family needs help finding care, sitting across the table from a provider who needs coaching, and showing up at community coalition meetings across their region.
Region 1
Our team at Child Care Aware of Kansas serves the majority of the state's counties across central, western, and north-central Kansas.
Region 2
Child Start serves south-central Kansas, including the Wichita area.
Region 3
Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas serves the eastern region of the state.
Region 4
Futures First serves the Kansas City metro area and northeast Kansas.
Where to Start
If you're not sure which agency serves your county, start with us — we'll make sure you get connected to the right team.
Not sure where to start? Call us.
Kansas CCR&R Regions
Our People
Leadership & Staff
Our team brings expertise in early childhood education, policy, community development, and child care systems, with a shared commitment to making child care work for every Kansan.
Governance
Board of Directors
The Child Care Aware of Kansas Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversight for the organization. Our board members lead efforts across Kansas in early childhood education, public health, finance, and community development.
Officers
President
Dr. Lisette Jacobson
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Vice President
Jarvis Doleman
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Treasurer
Lydia Vierthaler
Hutton Builds
Secretary
Lisa Newman
K-State Research and Extension
Directors
K-State Research and Extension
Chiquita Miller
Livewell Northwest Kansas
Travis Rickford
Director of Grants | Cornerstones of Care
Jeremy Fite
Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas
Sarah Elsen
Kansas Department of Education
Natalie McClane
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Eldonna Chesnut
Hutton
Jordan Buxton
Dr. Jerry Hamm Early Learning Center | Coffeyville Public Schools
Dr. Amanda Cavaness
Your Chance to Make an Impact
We're seeking passionate individuals to join the Child Care Aware of Kansas Board of Directors. If you care about strengthening child care in Kansas and want to help guide our mission of supporting families, providers, and communities, we'd love to hear from you.
Your support makes all the difference
Get Involved
Interested in supporting our work in another way?