- 22 person Jefferson County Child Care Steering Committee was formed. It included executives from business, economic development, the school district, child care agencies and elected officials.
- The purpose of the Steering Committee was to provide oversight for assessing the need, implementing the Strategic Plan, ongoing evaluation of the plan, provide approval of ECI expansion/startup grants and share updates with community.
The Issue
Feeling the Pain & Asking the Question
In 2017, Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA) & Early Childhood Iowa Iowa/Jefferson/Keokuk Counties (ECI), the Fairfield Community School District and Pathfinders RC&D pulled together 50 business and community leaders from 30 organizations for a facilitated dialogue to determine whether access to child care, was an issue for employers.
The consensus was a resounding YES.
The Plan
6 Step Action Plan
Step 1.
Engagement Through Public-Private PartnershipsStep 2.
Assessing the NeedThe Steering Committee recommended a child care market study be conducted. First Children’s Finance was contracted to conduct the study. ECI funded the study giving the Steering Committee oversight of the design and implementation.
- Surveyed 438 employees/parents and 10 businesses
- Findings were 539 child care spaces short in Jefferson County
- 70% of employers identified issues with productivity and or absenteeism related to child care
- 40% of employers identified having challenges hiring employees related to child care challenges
- 60 % of parents identified having trouble finding child care
- 66% of parents have reported missing work related to child care
Step 3.
Strategic Plan - Data Driven Decisions- Assist current center-based providers in expanding
- Assist new and existing home-based providers with startup and expansions
- Add another child care center to Fairfield
Step 4.
Innovative Solutions- Startup and Expansion Grant Program created for center-based providers. Funded by ECI, oversaw by the Steering Committee, and administered by CCR&R
- Registered Home Provider Incentive Program created – new and current home providers. Funded and administered by ECI, and oversaw by the Steering Committee
- Form an independent Non-Profit Corporation – led by FEDA, ECI, and business executives- plans to add a new child care center to Fairfield
Step 5.
Measurable Results- Assisted 3 child care centers in expanding with ECI Funds$ 21,000/ impacted 50 spaces $420/per space
- New Child care home provider incentive program, 5 new providers (56 new spaces)
- Current child care home provider incentive program, 3 new providers (40 new retained)
- Adding a 185-space new child care center – aimed to be funded by the business community. $3.5M Capital Campaign for construction and $1.75M currently pledged
- 3.5-acre site donated
Step 6.
Future- February-April 2020 – fundraise and complete final design
- July 2020 begin construction
- July 2021 child care facility open/begin operations
1. ENGAGEMENT THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
- 22 person Jefferson County Child Care Steering Committee was formed. It included executives from business, economic development, the school district, child care agencies and elected officials
- The purpose of the Steering Committee was to provide oversight for assessing the need, implementing the Strategic Plan, ongoing evaluation of the plan, provide approval of ECI expansion/startup grants and share updates with community
2. Assessing the Need
The Steering Committee recommended a child care market study be conducted. First Children’s Finance was contracted to conduct the study. ECI funded the studygiving the Steering Committee oversight of the design and implementation.
- Surveyed 438 employees/parents and 10 businesses
- Findings were 538 child care spaces short in Jefferson County
- 70% of employers identified issues with productivity and or absenteeism related to child care
- 40% of employers identified having challenges hiring employees related to child care challenges
- 60% of parents identified having trouble finding child care
- 66% of parents have reported missing work related to child care
3. Strategic Plan – Data Driven Decisions
- Assist current center-based providers in expanding
- Assist new and existing home-based providers with startup and expansions
- Add another child care center to Fairfield
4. Innovative Solutions
- Startup and Expansion Grant Program created for center-based providers. Funded by ECI, oversaw by the Steering Committee, and administered by CCR&R
- Registered Home Provider Incentive Program created – new and current home providers. Funded and administered by ECI, and oversaw by the Steering Committee
- Form an independent Non-Profit Corporation – led by FEDA, ECI, and business executives – plans to add a new child care center to Fairfield.
5. Measurable Results
- Assisted 3 child care centers in expanding with ECI Funds$ 21,000/ impacted 50 spaces $420/per space
- New child care home provider incentive program, 5 new providers (56 new spaces)
- Current child care home provider incentive program, 3 new providers (40 new retained)
- Adding a 185-space new child care center – aimed to be funded by the business community. $3.5M Capital Campaign for construction and $2.95M currently pledged
- 3.5-acre site donated
6. Future
- February-April 2020 fundraise/complete final design
- July 2020 begin construction
- July 2021 child care facility open/begin operations