Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors Jewell County Strong Inc. as a Child Care Community Champion

FROM CHILDCARE AWARE OF KANSAS

Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize Jewell County Strong Inc. as a Child Care

Community Champion, honoring their outstanding dedication and commitment to

strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is a 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 considerable strides in improving child care through one or more of

four key pillars:

1. Child Care Impact Partner

This pillar recognizes communities that have formed diverse and active coalitions focused

on building available child care.

2. No Barriers, Bright Futures

This pillar celebrates efforts to remove local policy barriers that make it challenging to open

or expand child care programs.

3. Child Care Capacity Builders

This pillar honors work to increase the number of available child care slots and expand

access for families in Kansas.

4. Backbone Support Initiative

This pillar highlights investments in the well-being and sustainability of the child care

workforce.

The recognition of Jewell County Strong Inc. as a Child Care Community Champion

demonstrates their commitment to strengthening the local early childhood landscape.

Through the creation of a dedicated child care coalition, they have brought partners

together around shared solutions and significantly expanded child care capacity within the

community. Their ongoing efforts, including events designed specifically to honor and

appreciate local child care providers, highlight their deep gratitude for those who make

quality care possible and their continued investment in supporting families and the

workforce.

Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst praises Jewell County

Strong Inc. as a model of successful sustainable change for Kansas families through their

efforts. “Jewell County Strong Inc. is a brilliant example of how collaboration and

commitment can achieve better outcomes for children and families when they treat child

care as essential infrastructure,” Cohorst says. “We are proud to recognize their

accomplishments and encourage other individuals and communities to look to them for

inspiration.

Celebrate Your Child Care Friendly Community

Child Care Aware of Kansas encourages communities across the state to follow the lead of

Jewell County Strong Inc. by participating in the Child Care Friendly Communities program.

Individuals and communities can earn recognition as Child Care Community Champions in

a variety of ways, from forming new coalitions to supporting and expanding existing efforts.

Through celebration of hard work and intentional collaboration, Child Care Friendly

Communities and Child Care Aware of Kansas hope to create a brighter future for children

and families across the state.

Does someone you know deserve to be awarded the Child Care Community Champion

designation? Visit our interactive map to connect with your local Community Outreach &

Engagement coordinator, choose what designations matter most to your community, and

nominate someone in your community for this award.

About Child Care Aware of Kansas

Child Care Aware of Kansas is a statewide organization dedicated to ensuring that every

family in Kansas has access to quality, affordable child care. Through community

partnerships, education, and advocacy, the organization empowers communities to

strengthen early childhood infrastructure and support the well-being of children, families,

and providers.

About Child Care Friendly Communities

Child Care Friendly Communities is a flexible, community-led designation program that

recognizes and supports local efforts to strengthen local child care. Whether communities

are just starting out or are expanding their existing work, they can earn recognition through

the pillars of Child Care Impact Partner, No Barriers, Bright Futures, Child Care Capacity

Builders, and Backbone Support Initiative, based on their unique goals and capacities.

Media Contact

Desiree Donovan

Communications Manager

Child Care Aware of Kansas

855-750-3343

desiree.donovan@ks.childcareaware.org

www.ks.childcareaware.org