Local Childcare Committee Invites Additional Partners to Join in Strategy Effort
Initial Partnership Meeting to be held Monday November 16
The Childcare Committee of Klickitat County is looking for additional partners to join in the effort to create an actionable strategy for improving childcare access and affordability in the Goldendale area during its Initial Partnership Meeting on Monday November 16 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. via Zoom.
The virtual call will be directed by the Washington State Department of Commerce which awarded the committee a $100,000 planning grant in August of this year, through its fiscal sponsor Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP). The purpose will be to finalize partner commitments, begin drafting the work breakdown structure, and create a risk management plan. The childcare strategy plan must be completed by June 30, 2021.
Early Childcare Committee partners include Klickitat County, Klickitat Valley Health (KVH), WAGAP, The City of Goldendale, Klickitat Public Utilities District, Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, the Goldendale School District, Goldendale Head Start, and Washington State University Klickitat County Extension Programs.
"We invite anyone with an interest in the issues surrounding childcare in the Goldendale area to attend. We are looking for representatives from all sectors of the community willing to provide time, energy and resources to this important partnership.” said Johanna Roe, Project Coordinator - Grant Writer. “We would especially welcome those in the business community to be a part of this, as the lack of childcare directly affects how well a business can function.”
City of Goldendale Mayor Mike Canon is enthusiastic about the endeavor, which will explore ways to bring high quality, affordable childcare to the area. “For years our city has needed this type of facility and the support it will provide to working parents and to their children,” Canon said. “I’m really looking forward to this effort, and we’ll do everything we can to help.”
Interested individuals and organizations who would like to participate with the Committee’s Initial Partnership Meeting should contact Leslie Naramore, WAGAP Executive Director at info@wagap.org or call her at (509) 493-2662 to learn more and to receive a link for the meeting.