Community Calendar

Local Earmark Provides Funding for Effingham County Child Care Providers

Effingham County Childcare Research Committee, in collaboration with Project CHILD, will offer free childcare business workshops, aimed at strengthening business practices for in-home and center childcare providers, on Saturdays during October.

Led by Project CHILD Recruitment and Quality Specialist, Courtney Hatcher, attendees will review business strategies and develop business plans to strengthen their business models.

Workshops for in-home providers are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8^th and 22^nd from 9 to 4 p.m.  Workshops for Child Care Center Owners, Directors, and Assistant Directors are slated for Saturday, Oct. 1^st and 15^th from 9 to 4 p.m.

Upon completion of the workshops, Effingham County providers may have the opportunity to apply for a reimbursable 50% matching grant of up to $1,500 for in-home providers and $5,000 for centers.

Anyone interested in starting a new in-home childcare service or a childcare center is strongly encouraged to attend.  Startups would be eligible for the grant opportunity to assist in launching their new business.

Courtney Yockey, Chairman of Effingham County’s Childcare Research Committee explained, “To maintain and grow Effingham County’s workforce, we need to invest in the ‘workforce behind the workforce’ and position our childcare providers for success, all the while encouraging entrepreneurism for those who are interested in starting new childcare services.  A recent earmark from the Effingham County Board provides the opportunity for a matching grant that will strengthen our current providers and help those who are interested in becoming providers make the investments necessary to start their business.” 

Space is limited.  Contact Recruitment and Quality Specialist Courtney Hatcher at Project CHILD 800-362-7257 or hatcherc@rlc.edu by September 7th to attend. 

The purpose of Effingham County’s Childcare Research Committee is to research and identify underlying issues with childcare services in Effingham County, develop a plan to overcome these workforce related hurdles, and work with the County Board on implementation.

For further information, contact:

Courtney Yockey, President & CEO 

Effingham County Regional Growth Alliance

217-342-4214 

cyockey@groweffinghamcountyil.com