Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors Sheridan County Community Foundation as a Child Care Community Champion

Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize Sheridan County Community Foundation 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 the Sheridan County Community Foundation as a Child Care Community Champion reflects their deep commitment to creating lasting, positive change in the early childhood landscape. They have united community partners, providers, and local leaders to address challenges, identify solutions, and advance long‑term improvements across the early childhood system. Through their focused efforts to expand child care capacity, the coalition has helped increase access to quality care options for families. Their leadership and collaboration continue to drive meaningful progress that supports families, strengthens the workforce, and enhances the overall well‑being of the community.

Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst praises Sheridan County Community Foundation as a model of successful sustainable change for Kansas families through their efforts. “Sheridan County Community Foundation 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 Sheridan County Community Foundation 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