$3 Million Earmarked to Expand Child Care Access in Shawnee County

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Parents in Shawnee County, Kansas, may soon have more child care options to choose from.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports a three-million-dollar innovation grant from the Greater Topeka Partnership will allow for the opening of 31 new child care spots this summer.

That's on the heels of 97 openings so far, WIBW reports.

"It is a workforce development issue," says Trina Goss of GOTopeka.

"If people don't have a place to send their children while they're at work, then they're not able to go to work."

Child Care Aware of Kansas says the childcare shortage in Shawnee County costs the county nearly $136 million a year in lost income, reduced business productivity, and lost tax revenue.

The innovation grant will help parents pay for child care through donations from businesses.

Family Forward won't launch until June, but parents and guardians can sign on to the waitlist for the time being.

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