During a recent Bellevue City Council meeting, community impact manager Melanie Fore presented a positive update on the Boost program, which supports in-home daycares and working families in the area. Fore expressed gratitude to the council and the Human Services Commission for their ongoing support, highlighting the program's inaugural year as a significant success.

The Boost initiative, funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resources, has already assisted 23 home daycares, benefiting over 250 families. Notably, 30% of participating daycares reported increased revenue ahead of schedule, and the program has facilitated the creation of seven new teaching assistant positions, with financial support provided to help offset hiring costs.

Despite these achievements, Fore emphasized the ongoing challenges in the childcare sector, noting that over 90 home daycares are not operating sustainably and there exists a substantial capacity gap of more than 23,100 childcare slots in Bellevue. She urged the council to continue its support to expand the Boost program, which aims to empower childcare providers and enhance the quality of care available to families.

The meeting also included a motion to approve the consent calendar, which passed unanimously. The city manager then introduced two ordinances, marking a significant moment for the team involved, although specific details about the ordinances were not disclosed during this segment of the meeting.