June 12, 2024 3:30 a.m. 

Douglas County Childcare Coalition is offering incentive bonuses for childcare professionals.

A release from the Douglas Education Service District said DCCC is dedicated to increasing the quality, quantity, and accessibility of childcare in the county. Coalition members include early learning, business leaders and employers, education and workforce, faith-based, government officials and funders.

Business Champions for Kids early learning program facilitator Robin VanWinkle said, “We want to be part of the solution to increase childcare accessibility in our community”.

The release said DCCC offered a successful Workforce incentive program from the fall of 2022 through the summer of 2023. Focused on increasing the childcare workforce and slot availability, the program supported 86 new childcare and early learning slots and 252 continuing childcare early learning slots. This has helped the coalition support over 100 news childcare slots since 2021.

Thanks to a grant from The Ford Family Foundation, DCCC is offering a new batch of incentives to individuals entering the field as childcare employees or providers who start or grow home-based or childcare centers. Incentive bonuses range from $500 to $5,000.

Van Winkle said, “If you enjoy working with children, consider looking into this amazing opportunity for fulfilling work that supports the community”.

Interested individuals can learn about the incentive eligibility and application process at: www.biz4kids.org/douglas-county-childcare-coalition or by calling 957-4808.