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YMCA describes KSD childcare partnership; 226 children receiving state assistance and new site openings
Summary
The YMCA executive director told the board the nonprofit operates before‑ and after‑school childcare at multiple Kennewick sites, reported 226 children receiving state assistance, reopened a site at Amistad Elementary with 14 children and described summer and break coverage and partnerships with the district for transportation and staffing.
Steve Howell, executive director of the local YMCA, briefed the board on the YMCA's district partnership for before‑ and after‑school care, summarizing sites, children served and state assistance participation.
Howell said the YMCA's partnership with Kennewick schools dates to pilot childcare programs in the 1990s and expanded during COVID to serve essential workers. He reported 226 children currently receiving state assistance through the YMCA program and another 50 families assisted by YMCA subsidies. The YMCA recently reopened a site at Amistad Elementary (14 children) and operates larger sites such as Sunset View where more than 60 children attend after school. Howell said the district's transportation options allow the YMCA to serve children from several schools by bussing them where needed.
Howell also emphasized reliability: the YMCA provides care during summers, holiday breaks and no‑school days and licenses its programs to state standards. He noted partnerships that include sports, esports and preschool offerings and said the YMCA coordinates with the district to help children with special needs participate where possible. The organization said financial support from philanthropic sources (example: a Ballmer grant referenced) helped sustain site openings and programming.
Board members thanked YMCA staff; no board action was required.
