Salina childcare fund grows with more donations as new centers begin to develop

Salina Area United Way Raises Over $2.8 Million to Address Child Care Issues

The Salina Area United Way has spearheaded an effort bringing in more than $2.8 million in funds so far to address child care issues and shortages in Saline County.

A collaborative community effort, led by the United Way, has sought various federal and state grant funding, as well as partnerships with local businesses and organizations to build a reserve of funds to support the local child care industry.

But they’re just getting started.

Each year, it will take $460,000 to fully fund wage supplements for existing child care workers in local facilities. That figure doesn’t include any staff that might later become necessary.

A quick look at how much money has been raised so far

Fundraising for this initiative began earlier this year, after the Salina Area United Way announced the start of the Early Childcare Initiative Fund in April. Here’s a quick breakdown of the funds United Way has worked to bring in to address childcare so far:

1. Great Plains Manufacturing: $75,000

   Great Plains’ donation will sponsor 15 teachers at child care centers in Saline County.

2. The Earl Bane Foundation: $200,000

   Earl Bane’s donation will sponsor 33 teachers at child care centers in Saline County.

3. Saline County: $400,000

   Saline County contributed American Rescue Plan Act dollars to help support an endowment through the United Way for longer lasting impacts on local childcare issues.

   Read more about the county contribution:Saline County puts federal dollars toward local child care needs. How the money will help

4. Kansas Children’s Cabinet Childcare Accelerator Grant: $1,872,100

   The Children’s Cabinet Childcare Accelerator Grant will support hiring directors, co-directors, and behavior specialists at five local child care centers in Saline County.

5. Kansas Children’s Cabinet Childcare Accelerator Grant, part two: $316,500

   In late June, the United Way was awarded $1.8 million from this Kansas grant program to help create 187 new childcare slots in Saline County.

   The $316,500 is an extension grant that will help three existing centers: Love ‘N’ Learn, Salina Family YMCA, and Martin Luther King Jr. Child Development Center; and two new centers that are being developed: Salina Family YMCA McAdams Center and First Covenant Church’s Magnolia Kids Childcare Center.

The total funds raised so far, including state grants, to combat childcare issues amount to $2,863,600.

The baseline goal for annual wage supplements is $460,000. With the Great Plains and Earl Bane Foundation donations, the Fund is sitting at a little more than halfway to its goal for next year.

Salina Family YMCA developing a new child care center with toddler and infant spots

This week, the Senior Director of Childcare at the Salina Family YMCA was getting a building on McAdams Road ready for a state surveyor. Her team is in the process of opening a new child care center in what used to be a Montessori school near Oxbow Park in Salina.

The new center, named the Salina Family YMCA McAdams Center, will provide heavily sought after infant and toddler care. This was made possible by the Accelerator grant the United Way received.

Higdon has heard countless stories of parents choosing to stay home because they can’t find childcare in Saline County. At the existing YMCA childcare center, her waitlist continues to grow.

“We find ourselves in that very fine line of outpricing parents to be able to afford our staff,” Higdon said.

Why child care has been a suffering industry — and what’s being done about it

The issue of child care availability is multifaceted. In Saline County, stagnant wages have led to a shortage of staff, which has led to a shortage of

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education.
   • Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

– Target 4.2: Ensure access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education.

– Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

– Target 10.2: Promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.

– Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.

– Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.

These indicators can be used to measure progress in ensuring access to quality early childhood education, improving employment conditions and wages, and reducing inequalities.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: salina.com

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