Harvey County Childcare Task Force

06/03/2026

Every kid deserves a full plate this summer. 🍎

Free breakfast and lunch are available all summer for every child ages 1–18 — no cost, no registration. It's one less thing for families to worry about, and one more way our community shows up for its kids.

📅 June 8 – July 24 · Mon–Fri · meals eaten on-site
📍 Sunset Elementary (619 Boyd Ave) — Breakfast 8–8:30 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
🚐 Mobile lunch: Athletic Park Shelter (11–11:30), Springlake Splash Park (11:50–12:20), 10th & Ash Park (12:40–1:10)

Times and sites can change — check back for updates. Share with a family who could use it.

05/29/2026

What an honor for the Harvey County Childcare Task Force to receive this recognition. Thank you to all our Task Force members and for the community partnerships we’ve been able to develop through this work.

We love celebrating child care champions in action, and the Harvey County Child Care Task Force coalition really knocked it out of the park! 🎉

This coalition received the Child Care Community Champion Award, presented by Child Start! Pictured left to right is Dalton Black, Executive Director at UWHMC (Coalition Lead) and Amanda Lowe, Director of Development & Marketing for UWHMC (Coalition Co-Lead).

We are so thankful for the vital work of people like the Harvey County Child Care Task Force and Child Start! 🙏

05/18/2026

Harvey County is on the list! 🙌

Child Care Aware of Kansas launched the Family Child Care Expansion Project and we're one of the selected counties.

If you know someone who's ever thought about opening a home-based child care business, now is the time. Coaching, licensing support, business resources, and mentorship are available at no cost.

Know someone? Have them reach out:
📧 [email protected]

Tag them below. 👇
🔗

Kansas Family Child Care Expansion Project brings more child care providers to Kansas by offering incentives to potential new providers.

05/15/2026

Many see employers as part of the solution for helping parents find and afford childcare.

The program offers up to 75% in tax credits on money spent by Kansas employers to provide on-site childcare, help their employees find childcare, or help employees to cover the cost of childcare.

Find the link to the full story below ⬇️

04/10/2026

The Harvey County Childcare Task Force is now accepting applications for our 2026 Childcare Workforce Stabilization Grants.

These grants are designed to help licensed childcare centers in Harvey County strengthen and stabilize their workforce through direct staff compensation strategies such as wage supplements, retention bonuses, recruitment bonuses, and other incentives that support quality early childhood care.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 15, 2026, and awards will be announced on or around June 10, 2026.

Visit https://bit.ly/3Oj5Rm9 to access the application and budget worksheet.

03/30/2026

What a great weekend at our 2026 Childcare Provider Networking Conference.

We were thrilled to welcome more than 20 childcare providers from Harvey, Marion, and McPherson Counties for a time of connection, learning, and encouragement. Thank you to every provider who took time out of your busy schedules to join us and invest in the important work you do every day for children and families.

A special thank you to Ms Kristin • New Creation Preschool for sharing an amazing session and helping make the conference such a meaningful experience. We are also deeply grateful to the Childcare Task Force members whose hard work and collaboration made this event possible.

This opportunity was made possible through funding from the Childcare Zones Grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and All In For Kansas Kids, with support from United Way of Harvey and Marion Counties.

Thank you for helping strengthen childcare in our communities.

03/27/2026

It’s almost time!

Our Child Care Provider Networking Conference is happening tomorrow, March 28 - and we are officially at capacity. Every seat is filled, and registration is now closed.

First, thank you. The response to this event has been incredible and speaks to the commitment across Harvey and Marion Counties to strengthen child care for families and our workforce.

To those joining us: we’re looking forward to having you in the room. This is a chance to step back from the day-to-day, connect with others in the field, and be part of the momentum building across our communities.

Quick reminder:
• Arrive a few minutes early for check-in
• Bring your ideas and your perspective
• Come ready to connect and engage

See you tomorrow!

03/04/2026

Interested in opening a childcare business or becoming a licensed childcare provider?

The Childcare Task Force has identified opportunities for potential providers and can help guide you through the licensing process.

If you’ve even thought about it, reach out. We’re happy to answer questions and help you explore what’s possible.

Email [email protected] to get started.

02/12/2026

Big news! 🎉
Our Childcare Task Force has been recognized by Child Care Aware of Kansas as part of their Child Care Community Champions spotlight.

This recognition reflects the hard work of local providers, employers, school partners, city/county leaders, and advocates who keep showing up to strengthen child care access and quality for families.

If you’ve been part of this work — thank you. If you want to join the effort, we’d love to connect. 💛

Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize 66 Kansas communities as Child Care Community Champions, honoring their dedication to strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is 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.

See the recognized counties and learn more here: https://ks.childcareaware.org/news-ccfc/

📸 Pictured: Rhianna Nelson (Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas) presents the Child Care Community Champion Award to Amy Garner, Geary County Child Care Coalition Program Coordinator, who earned recognition in all four pillars. GC3C

02/02/2026

Welcome to the Harvey County Childcare Task Force page!

Childcare is more than a family issue. It’s a workforce issue, an education issue, and a community well-being issue. When families can find stable, high-quality care, kids thrive, parents can work, and our local economy stays strong across our community.

The Childcare Task Force is a group of local partners and community members working together to strengthen childcare access, affordability, and quality throughout the county. We’re focused on practical solutions, informed by local data and the lived experiences of families and providers.

This page is where we’ll share updates, opportunities to get involved, helpful resources, and progress on the work ahead. If you’re a parent, provider, employer, community leader, or simply someone who cares about kids and working families, you’re in the right place.

Thanks for being here. Let’s build a Harvey County where families have the support they need and every child has a strong start.