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State launches 'child care zones' funding and continues regional roundtables to surface local solutions
Summary
KDHE and partners described a new child care zone funding opportunity for multi‑county collaborative projects, and staff reported progress on regional roundtables in Abilene and Topeka with Wichita and Garden City sessions scheduled.
KDHE and Children's Cabinet staff promoted a new "child care zone" funding opportunity and summarized regional roundtables that aim to surface local solutions to child care challenges across Kansas.
Megan (staff member) described the child care zone initiative as a funding opportunity open to teams from at least two Kansas counties; applicants must submit a letter of interest by "this Friday" (deadline date not specified). The grants are intended to support collaborative, non‑construction projects that build local child‑care ecosystems — for example, shared administrative services, substitute pools, staffing supports or business‑practice assistance — rather than funding a single facility.
The initiative will have two application cycles, in April and August, and includes technical assistance, recorded informational webinars, an FAQ and written application guidance on allinforKansaskids.org, staff said. KDHE emphasized that communities may apply together even if counties are not adjacent and that the program asks applicants to demonstrate knowledge of local child‑care need.
Participants also reviewed progress from regional roundtables. KDHE staff reported successful sessions in Abilene (November) and Topeka (January) and said the next roundtables will be in Wichita on March 12 (hosted by ChildStart) and at a child‑care facility in Garden City on May 20. Breakout participants praised the roundtable format as “welcoming” and useful for letting a range of stakeholders — home providers, center staff, licensing specialists, school district representatives and local government officials — share perspectives and co‑identify local supports.
Heather Ritchie said the Abilene session used whole‑group discussion to good effect and drew a mix of providers and partners; Emily Bonia of KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness described Topeka's session as open and inviting. KDHE staff said the roundtables are collecting feedback by theme, and that future work groups may be formed after Wichita to develop actionable recommendations and to report back to participants on results.
KDHE asked Systems Improvement Team members to consider leading portions of the next roundtables so participants see the team’s face rather than only KDHE staff. The department also said it is exploring online tools to track the status of initiatives raised at roundtables so attendees can see whether and how feedback leads to changes.
