Douglas County commissioners on Oct. 15 authorized the county administrator’s office to proceed with a proposed community childcare scholarship challenge fund that county staff said would pair a $100,000 county pledge with private and foundation matching to expand scholarships for families with the greatest need.

County staff said the fund is part of the county’s anti-poverty community health improvement plan and would be administered by Positive Bright Start, a local early childhood nonprofit. The fund would be structured as a one-time “challenge” pledge: when outside donors pledge money, the county would invoice and provide a matching contribution. County staff proposed a time-limited window for the program, saying it would open Jan. 1 and close Dec. 20, 2026.

"The original request was to provide funding for a community wide childcare scholarship fund," said Jill Jellicker, county administration staff, describing the proposal and the partners who would administer and distribute scholarships. Jellicker told commissioners the county’s $100,000 pledge would be intended to attract additional private, individual and foundation gifts and that Positive Bright Start already administers the existing scholarship program.

Marie Taylor, executive director of Positive Bright Start, described the program’s prioritization and eligibility framework. "We will be giving out those scholarships to the families who really can't afford it," Taylor said, adding that the program has included home providers as well as larger centers and that participating providers have historically met program requirements.

Commissioners asked how smaller donors could participate. Taylor and county staff said smaller gifts could be pooled so multiple donors reach the program’s preferred matching threshold; staff also said Positive Bright Start has existing tools and experience in tracking matching gifts and distributing scholarships.

Commissioner Reed moved to authorize the county administrator’s office to proceed with the proposed challenge fund; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Next steps outlined by staff include developing a donor outreach plan with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and other business partners, coordinating with foundations such as the Douglas County Community Foundation and the Rice Foundation, and working with Positive Bright Start to finalize application and distribution timelines. County staff said matching payments would be made after the county receives documentation of outside donor pledges and invoices from Positive Bright Start.

Commissioners and staff said they will track program outcomes and report back to the commission as donations and awards are made.