Lakeland PBS
❤ Donate
  • Home
  • Support
  • Watch Now
    • Livestream
    • Local Shows
    • Watch Online
    • Schedule
    • Our Channels
    • Webcam
  • Lakeland News
    • News Feed
    • Featured Segments
    • Watch a News Story
    • Watch a Sports Story
  • Shop
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • State Legacy Funding
    • Meetings & Public Filings
    • Education
    • Employment
  • ❤ DONATE

New Initiative Aims To Improve Access To Quality And Affordable Child Care

Rachel Johnson — Jan. 23 2019
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

A new partnership between the Initiative Foundation, First Children’s Finance, and the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services is aiming to improve access to quality and affordable child care in Central Minnesota.

First Children’s Finance estimates that nearly 14,000 Central Minnesota children and their families lack child care opportunities. This inhibits the development of children and also causes many families to be disengaged from the workforce.

“Child care is a huge barrier to workforce engagement. If you can’t find good, affordable child care it’s very hard to hold down a job, and our region in Central Minnesota has a greater shortage of affordable child care than any other section of Greater Minnesota,” said Don Hickman, Initiative Foundation Vice President for Community and Nonprofit Organizational Development.

A $150,000 Department of Human Services grant will allow the Initiative Foundation to launch a pilot program for up to four Central Minnesota communities that will focus on child care solutions. Community leaders will be able to create and enter a strategic plan detailing how their community would benefit from and implement the grant.

“The grant is going to be used as a challenge for up to four communities. We’ll announce a competitive process here shortly and the goal is to have four communities complete a strategic plan. What are the assets and what are the barriers? How can we help current providers, encourage new providers and even retain those that we have?” explained Hickman.

Community leaders can learn more about the program by visiting the Initiative Foundation’s website at ifound.org. They hope to have the communities chosen and awarded by the spring.

Lakeland News is member supported content. Please consider supporting Lakeland News today.

Donate Today
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

By — Rachel Johnson

Lakeland News Lead Reporter

Related Posts

Discussion on Childcare in Minnesota Held at Pine Pals in Bemidji

Brainerd’s Relationship Safety Alliance Brings Back Fundraising Gala

Initiative Foundation Names Interim Co-Leaders During Search for New President

In Business: Traveling Art Pub Blends Art Education with Business Partnerships

  • Program Schedule

Get the free PBS App

roku
Apple TV
FireTV
AndroidTV
Google Play Store
Apple Store

Connect with Us

Watch Lakeland PBS Live Stream!

Contact Us

Directions
Submit an Event
Submit a Video or Photo
Problem with the Website
Need to contact us about something else? Please visit our contact us page for more options.

About Us

Lakeland PBS understands the media that people are exposed to make a significant impact on their lives. Our hope is that the six channels we broadcast along with our online presence provide people with media experiences that make a positive impact on their lives.

Lakeland PBS is where you want to be!

108 Grant Ave NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 800-292-0922
KAWE Public Profile | KAWB Public Profile | Cable Provider Channel List | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Lakeland PBS. All Right Reserved.

How would you like to show your support?

Monthly Contribution

One-Time Contribution

Thank-You Gift

I would like to select a thank-you gift

No Gift

Put 100% of my gift towards programming