Douglas County Childcare Coalition (DCCC) is dedicated to increasing the quantity, quality and accessibility of childcare in the county. Members include early learning, business leaders and employers, education and workforce, faith-based, government officials and funders.

 

Grant awarded to benefit childcare sites

January 13, 2025 – Douglas County Childcare Coalition (DCCC) is dedicated to increasing the quantity, quality and accessibility of childcare in the county. Members include early learning, business leaders and employers, education and workforce, faith-based, government officials and funders.

In 2024 a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) grant from Umpqua Health Alliance awarded to Douglas County Child Care Coalition (DCCC) provided supplies and equipment to 11 local childcare sites to promote safety, health, and inclusivity. Each site received up to $3,000 for health and safety projects or play equipment, benefiting 128 children across Douglas County.

“This initiative is an example of the Coalition’s commitment to championing quality childcare,” said Robin VanWinkle, Business Champions for Kids Early Learning Program Facilitator for Douglas ESD. “By helping providers improve their facilities, the project supports both the health and safety of children and staff while ensuring essential childcare services remain available to local families.”

Examples of funded projects include installing an outdoor gazebo, repairing a porch roof, adding soft mat flooring, and upgrading essentials like sleeping cots, chairs, tables, safety plugs and a handwashing station. Pre-designed packages offered play-based equipment such as playhouses, climbers, bikes, trikes, helmets, tunnels, swing sets and parachutes—encouraging both safety and exploration.

Kimberely Balfour, owner and director at Mimi’s Busy Bear Child Care LLC, shared how the grant funding is supporting students. “All the children can now use bikes and ride on together increasing involvement and physical activity outside, she said. “We are not just seeing more physical movement from this project, we are seeing more imaginative play, peer play, and parallel play all which help with social development.”

Members of the DCCC helped review the initial grant applications. Care Connections & Education assisted with the promotion of the project to childcare providers and selected the pre-determined play equipment package items.

To learn more childcare initiatives, visit www.childcareis.org.