Transforming Rural Child Care: COVID Funds Create Hopeful Futures
In a significant move towards enhancing child care accessibility in rural Colorado, state grants derived from federal COVID stimulus funding are paving the way for new facilities. This initiative promises not only to increase child care capacity but also to foster a sense of community well-being.
A Collaborative Effort: Schools, Colleges, and Museums Unite
Over the next two years, a remarkable collaboration among a rural school district, a local college, and a science museum aims to introduce or expand child care centers across western Colorado. These projects include:
- An expanded child care center within the Buena Vista school district.
- Three innovative child care classrooms at The Powerhouse, a children’s science museum in Durango.
- A new child care space at Colorado Mountain College in Garfield County.
Buena Vista’s center is set to open this fall, while the Durango and Colorado Mountain College facilities will launch in the fall of 2026.
Tackling the Child Care Crisis Head-On
These initiatives are projected to create nearly 330 new child care seats, addressing the pressing issue of child care shortages in rural communities across Colorado. The state grant program, a crucial lifeline for employer-supported child care, has been largely fueled by federal COVID relief funds. However, as these funds are expended, the grant program faces an uncertain future.
Child care programs situated nearby workplaces have been shown to significantly reduce staff turnover and commuting times while elevating morale. Additionally, these programs offer child care hours that align better with parents’ work schedules, making life more manageable.
The Impact of State Grants
Colorado’s employer-based child care grant program has awarded five rounds of grants—the majority ranging from $500,000 to $800,000—over more than two dozen projects. Highlights include:
- New child care centers at a ski resort in Steamboat Springs.
- Child care facilities at a community hospital in Grand Junction.
- A child care center initiated by a school district in La Veta.
Many recipients kickstarted their journey by joining the Design Lab, a program by Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC). This initiative guides businesses through the intricate process of establishing child care centers on-site or nearby. From 2023 to 2024, the state contributed over $270,000 to support this program.
Long-term Benefits of Community Collaboration
Lisa Roy, executive director of Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood, emphasized the positive outcomes of these collaborative efforts:
“The success of the Design Lab and employer-based child care model is proof that when businesses and government collaborate around family-focused solutions, we create lasting impact.”
This statement encapsulates the essence of these projects—creating a sustainable future for families in rural Colorado is not just an aspiration; it’s becoming a reality.
In conclusion, while the COVID relief funds may dwindle, their legacy is evident in the transformative investments in child care that will benefit communities for years to come. For more information on Colorado’s early childhood initiatives, you can explore resources available at Chalkbeat and EPIC.
Ann Schimke is a senior reporter at Chalkbeat, specializing in early childhood and literacy issues. For inquiries, contact Ann at [email protected].
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