What is United For Childcare?
United for Childcare is a proposed community initiative created by United Way of Southeast Missouri, aimed at addressing childcare issues in Southeast Missouri. The proposed program would provide a centralized hub, a Community Childcare Resource Center, where parents, providers, and employers can access essential childcare resources. United for Childcare is designed to help families navigate childcare planning, secure financial assistance, and find appropriate care, while also supporting providers with workforce development, licensing, and business assistance. The initiative’s goal is to expand childcare access, strengthen the workforce, and improve economic mobility for families across Southeast Missouri.
If you are a parent, employer or childcare provider wanting to be connected to resources available through our United for Childcare Resource Center and learn about the Child Care Works cost-sharing program, please visit: https://www.unitedforchildcare.com/
Join With Us To Make a Change
Join Us in strengthening Southeast Missouri’s Childcare Network by signing up for our mailing list. Learn about our upcoming events, learn where your voice is needed most, volunteer opportunities, and stay up to date on the latest news
Get Involved
There are many ways to contribute to bringing this project to life: Attend our community meetings to share ideas and insights, volunteer your talents in organizing and outreach, stay connected through our mailing list for updates, and help spread the word to unite parents, providers, and businesses. Join our Facebook group, United for Childcare, to stay engaged, and consider donating to support and amplify our efforts for lasting change.
Community Conversation
Join us for our community forum to discuss the United Way of Southeast Missouri’s childcare initiative and provide feedback on proposed solutions. The event will be held on October 17th from 6:30-7:30 P.M. at The Canvas Event Center located at 1922 Independence St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Use Your Voice
We need your input to help us create a program that better supports the needs of our community. Please take just three minutes to complete our quick survey and share your ideas with us. Your feedback is invaluable and will guide us as we work together to develop effective solutions.
Background
In late 2021, research conducted by our Community Investment Committee revealed critical insights about the barriers to employment in our region, with accessible childcare emerging as a top concern. During our 2022-2025 funding cycle, employers, employees, and community members consistently identified the lack of reliable childcare as a major obstacle to securing and maintaining jobs. Recognizing this, United Way of Southeast Missouri formed the Childcare Coalition to address this issue in 2021.
In 2024, we received an AmeriCorps Planning grant to develop and propose an AmeriCorps program for 2025 through the state of Missouri. Throughout the year, we actively engaged with stakeholders, including parents and childcare providers, and businesses, and other non-profits. Their valuable input was instrumental in shaping a program that is tailored to our community’s specific needs, and we are grateful for their contribution.
This collaborative effort culminated in creating a proposed solution, United for Childcare, a holistic approach to program design that addresses the pressing childcare challenges facing families in our region. Through ongoing research and strategic partnerships, we are laying the groundwork for a sustainable solution that will benefit families and employers once launched in 2025, pending funding. This project will bring nearly a million dollar investment into childcare within Southeast Missouri.
The Challenges We Face
Through our research we have determined that the childcare landscape in Southeast Missouri is fragmented. This is creating a significant barrier to workforce participation, particularly for lower-income families. The scarcity of accessible and affordable childcare forces many parents, especially women, out of the workforce, exacerbating labor shortages and hindering families from achieving economic stability. In the region’s most economically vulnerable areas, the childcare desert is especially severe, with limited resources available.Future Plans - Childcare Resource Center
Expanding Access to Affordable Childcare
Addressing the significant shortage of childcare options, particularly for infants and toddlers, is our top priority. With only 33% of demand met, we aim to increase the number of childcare providers and facilities, including support for starting new in-home and center-based care businesses. This effort would create more childcare slots and ensure families have access to affordable, quality care.
Family Support and Resource Navigation
Helping families plan for and afford childcare is essential to removing barriers to workforce participation. Our goal with the proposed program is to offer comprehensive support through the Childcare Resource Center, including assistance with budgeting, accessing subsidies, and connecting with community resources. A holistic approach to family issues is the key to giving families a hand up and a lift out of poverty.
Workforce Development for Childcare Providers
To improve the quality and availability of childcare, we are proposing a plan that trains and develops the early childhood workforce. This includes providing CDA (Child Development Associate) certification programs, ongoing professional development for providers, and curriculum support for in-home providers. By investing in childcare workers, we enhance the overall standard of care and increase the number of qualified professionals in our community.
Program Mission
United Way of Southeast Missouri strives to empower families and childcare providers by offering comprehensive support in childcare planning, resource navigation, and professional development. Our goal is to enhance access to affordable, quality care, helping both parents and providers thrive in their communities.
Program Vision
To create a connected, well-supported community where every family has access to affordable, quality childcare, and every provider is equipped with the tools and resources needed to succeed and grow.