Positive Bright Start proposes community childcare scholarship fund to aid families in Lawrence

A bold initiative to tackle the rising costs of early childhood education took center stage at the Douglas County Commissioners meeting on July 2, 2025. Positive Bright Start, a local nonprofit, proposed the creation of a community-wide childcare scholarship fund aimed at alleviating the financial burden on families struggling to afford quality childcare.

Executive Director of Positive Bright Start, Sarah, highlighted alarming statistics during her presentation. Families with a four-year-old are currently facing average childcare costs of around $825 per month, while infant care can soar to approximately $1,200. For single-parent households earning at or below the federal poverty level, nearly half of their monthly income is consumed by childcare expenses, making it economically challenging for parents to work.

The nonprofit has been providing scholarships for 50 years but currently has a waitlist of at least 30 families seeking assistance. Sarah emphasized the need for a broader community effort to support families beyond what their organization can offer alone. “We would be very excited to be part of a bigger project that could absolutely be more helpful to a lot more families,” she stated.

In addition to the scholarship fund, Kevin Kelly from Peasley Tech discussed the importance of professionalizing early childhood education. He noted that many childcare providers struggle to pay livable wages, which hinders their ability to attract and retain qualified staff. Kelly proposed that financial support could help bridge the wage gap, ensuring that childcare workers earn at least $20 per hour, a crucial step toward lifting families out of poverty.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing community updates regarding the implementation of these initiatives, ensuring transparency and adaptability as needs evolve. The proposed scholarship fund and wage support for childcare providers represent a significant step toward addressing the critical issue of early childhood education in Douglas County, with the potential to positively impact countless families in the community.