Custer County backs two strategies for DOLA childcare-planning grant; $20,000 request seeks a needs assessment

The Custer County Board of County Commissioners voted to support two strategies in a county application to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) for a local government childcare planning grant.

Stacy (Custer County Kids Council) told commissioners she asked DOLA for clarification after submitting the grant application and was asked to secure formal county support for adopting one or more strategies listed in the DOLA guidance. "During the grant period the Custer County child care and early child care needs assessment will be done utilizing a third party contractor that specializes in early childhood and child care areas," Stacy said, summarizing the second strategy. She said the council requested $20,000 to fund that needs assessment.

Stacy also described a proposed commitment for Custer County Kids Council to attend Planning and Zoning Committee meetings quarterly to identify and remove regulatory barriers to home‑based childcare. She said the Board is the fiscal agent for the Kids Council and that formal endorsement would strengthen the DOLA application.

Commissioners discussed the three candidate strategies the Kids Council had highlighted. Because the first strategy (a plan for dedicating a share of future local revenues to childcare) could depend on a November ballot measure and would not fit the DOLA grant timing, the board agreed to support strategies two and three instead. Commissioners noted the county’s support does not bind the board to future funding decisions beyond normal fiscal processes.

A motion to support the adoption of strategies 2 and 3 as described in the DOLA application passed by voice vote; Commissioners Lucas, Paul and Candee voted in favor. Stacy said if the board later approved a local revenue source for childcare the Kids Council would return with a proposal to adapt strategy 1 if appropriate.

Stacy said DOLA’s grant pool for this program is limited (about $75,000 statewide for this funding round) and that Custer County requested $20,000 to cover a professional needs assessment; she said the county would also pursue additional philanthropic and foundation support to cover the full scope of the study.

Next steps include the Kids Council executing the DOLA application process (if the award is granted) and the county continuing to act as fiscal agent for the council.