|
JCC Leads the Way in Adding Childcare Providers to
the Region’s Workforce
Published: January 06, 2022
at 10:15 p.m.
By: Press Release from Jefferson Community College
Jefferson Community College Leads the Way in Adding
Childcare Providers to the Region’s Workforce
Successful North Country Regulated Home Day Care
Training Nears Completion with Seven New Businesses Started
Watertown, NY
(January 6, 2022) - Jefferson Community College is pleased to announce
the results of the first cohort of its North Country Regulated Home Day
Care Training Bootcamp (Childcare Bootcamp) and the next cohort of the
Childcare Bootcamp, beginning March 2022. The pilot program began in June
2021, serving 20 residents from Jefferson and Lewis counties. The new
entrepreneurs will be celebrated on January 6, in recognition of their
achievement, and in support of quality childcare, they will be enrolled in
the College’s Introduction to Early Childhood Development course at no
cost, which will be completed May 2022.
JCC’s program
brought together partners in the community to serve a significant workforce
issue – the availability of childcare. The initial spark for the program
came from a need, expressed by Lewis County officials, for more childcare
in their area. Jefferson County was quick to follow with similar needs, and
both counties were able to secure funding for the program to quickly enable
JCC in mobilizing strategic partners. This project would not be possible
without the strategic investment of Lewis and Jefferson Counties. The
available childcare slots per child in each county were such that each was
designated as a “childcare desert.” JCC President Ty A. Stone says:
“Building innovative partnerships to meet urgent needs in the communities
we serve has always been a priority. We heard from community leaders that
one of the most significant workforce issues is the availability of
childcare. Parents cannot get back to work without care for their children.
The College is a leader in Early Childhood Education, producing degree and
certificate program graduates to serve our local community. It was only
natural that JCC would play a role in meeting this critical need.”
JCC collaborated
with the Watertown Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Community
Action Planning Council (CAPC) of Watertown to provide the elements of the
program. The students participated in a series of early childhood
development and small business workshops and benefitted from one-on-one
mentorship. The students received support in completing the New York State
registration application and approval process, including completing all
required health and safety training. Additional supports were
provided for program supplies.
Cathy Brodeur,
Director of the Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project at CAPC states: "The
Bootcamp program has allowed us to begin rebuilding childcare capacity
after years of declining options. Our community's ability to support
children, families, and employers with high quality care in the community
reflects the willingness of cross-sector partners to innovate. Economic
development, entrepreneurship skills, and early childhood expertise are all
critical to the success of this program, and the creation of new Licensed
and Registered slots in a short period of time has been a game-changer for
families returning to work."
Travis Proulx,
Vice Chancellor for Government Affairs and Marketing at SUNY System
Administration commented on the SBDC’s involvement in this strategic
partnership: “Access to childcare is key to the North Country’s economic
well-being, and right now lack of access happens to be one of the biggest
hurdles facing local families. The Watertown SBDC is a founding participant
in bringing this bold and innovative project together to support North
Country childcare entrepreneurs. Their work is helping childcare startups
get the information and support they need to open their doors. I applaud
the SBDC staff, SUNY Jefferson, and Lewis and Jefferson County officials
for a creative partnership that I believe can be a model for communities
statewide. SUNY is excited to watch this program grow in scope and depth in
2022 and beyond!”
Compared to only
10 home childcare businesses opened in the last three years in Jefferson
and Lewis counties, 2021 showed progress, due in part to this Regulated
Home Day Care Training. Two new home-based childcare businesses in Lewis
County and 10 in Jefferson County opened in 2021. JCC expects this
number will grow as the remaining pilot program participants open their new
businesses, with three more pending at this time.
Executive Director
of Lewis County Economic Development, Brittany Davis, says: “It was without
hesitation that we worked to fund the In-Home Daycare Training Bootcamp
pilot program, in partnership with Jefferson County Economic Development.
Our initial investments have led to the creation of approximately 30 new
childcare spots in less than six months and has sparked additional funding
from our respective counties to continue to build on this momentum.
Childcare is economic development, and we are helping to solve a large need
that will help with business and resident recruitment in future years.”
Lewis County
Director of Planning and Community Development, Casandra Buell, echoes this
sentiment, commenting on the lack of childcare in the area. Buell states:
“While this basic amenity is the key to building a local workforce,
prosperous communities, and economic growth, childcare also plays an
essential role in shaping future generations. With these investments, we
hope to provide families with safe and affordable childcare options that
will allow parents to re-enter the workforce while providing children with
the environment they need for their developing bodies and
minds.”
Jefferson
Community College is leading the way in this workforce initiative, as the
program model is being replicated by several other counties in New York
State. The second cohort of the Childcare Bootcamp program is planned to
begin March 2022, with initial orientation sessions in January and February
2022. Additionally, JCC is developing an online version of the program on
Coursera (an online education provider) and is one of only two community
colleges in the New York State utilizing this innovative course delivery
method. The new program is expected to launch Fall 2022.
Anyone interested
in starting an in-home childcare business in Jefferson or Lewis Counties
should contact JCC’s Director of Community Services, Joanna C. Habermann, at jhabermann@sunyjefferson.edu or
315-786-2438.
|
