Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Childcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District pursues childcare partnerships and grants to open on-site childcare at two schools
Summary
Sullivan County Schools is pursuing a childcare program at two sites using DHS grants and a potential YMCA third‑party operator. The district plans to apply for SCORE innovation funds to prepare buildings and then partner with a licensed childcare provider to operate services in district facilities.
District staff briefed the board on efforts to establish on‑site childcare at Sullivan Heights Middle School and Sullivan East High School, using state Department of Human Services (DHS) grants and a third‑party operator (YMCA) to operate the program.
Staff said initial licensing work encountered issues — for example, a cosmetology program next door raised concerns about fumes for preschool children — but DHS remained supportive. District staff explained two DHS funding streams that make the option attractive: a Care Partner grant (a cost-share style award tied to local commitment) and an establishment grant that can provide roughly $1,000 per enrolled student for start‑up purchases (cribs, supplies, remodel).
Why it matters: District leaders said operating childcare directly under the district raises licensing and grant limitations because Tennessee Department of Education grants do not cover the same funding. The district is therefore pursuing a partnership model: a third‑party operator (YMCA) would hold licensing and operate the childcare program in district buildings; the district would provide locations and potential referrals and work‑based learning opportunities for students.
Next steps and timeline: Staff said they plan to submit a SCORE innovative grant application seeking $75,000 to prepare buildings for childcare; the district would then partner with the YMCA or similar provider to apply for DHS grants for ongoing funding and equipment. Staff reported YMCA leadership is interested and that Sullivan Heights was a promising internal site with an existing after‑school program that could expand its license.
Board members asked about transportation and logistics; staff said the district could use vans or duty buses to support pick‑up and drop‑off if needed and that they would structure contracts to preserve district control over instructional placements and student work‑based experiences.
Staff emphasized the partnership approach would let the district offer childcare benefits to staff and students while avoiding direct management of licensing and payroll, and they asked the board for support to pursue the SCORE grant and build the partnership structure.
