Reno County Child Care Task Force Receives State Recognition

Some of the Reno County Child Care Task Force members, Community Partners and Child Care Aware of Kansas were Jessica Geist, left, Lacey Mills, Kari Mailloux, Debra Teufel, Jan Kuckelman, Heather Faulkner, Aubrey Patterson and John Walker. 

Kids Collective and Child Care Aware of Kansas memebers there were Heather Hoover, left, Heather Faulkner, Jan Kuckelman, Alexa Wiens and Shanon DeMars.

The Reno County Child Care Task Force has been recognized by Child Care Aware of Kansas as a Kansas Child Care Community Champion, honoring the community's efforts to strengthen child care services for families, providers, and employers throughout Reno County.

The designation is part of Child Care Aware of Kansas' Child Care Friendly Communities initiative, a statewide program that recognizes communities working to improve access to child care, increase available child care options, support providers, and build strong partnerships focused on long-term solutions.

The award was presented by Jan Kuckelman of Child Care Aware of Kansas, who praised Reno County's commitment to collaboration and community-driven solutions.

"Communities that find ways to collaborate are the communities that change," Kuckelman said. "Having elected officials, organizations, child care providers, and school districts all working together has made a tremendous impact."

The recognition reflects years of work by the Reno County Child Care Task Force and the many organizations, providers, employers, educators, community leaders, and volunteers who have worked together to address local child care needs.

Heather Faulkner, executive director of the Reno County Child Care Task Force and Reno County Kids Collective, said the community's progress would not have been possible without the support of Reno County leaders.

"We would not be where we are today had the county not said yes first," Faulkner said. "The County Commissioners listened to residents who identified child care as a priority, and they trusted our task force to sustain what we already had and innovate the system. We simply would not be where we are without their support."

Commission Chair Ron Hirst said the recognition reflects the work of many people throughout the community.

"When community members identified child care as a priority, our role was to listen and support solutions. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the Task Force and the many partners who have worked tirelessly to improve child care opportunities throughout Reno County,” said Commissioner Hirst.

Faulkner said the recognition belongs to the entire community.

"This is not an award just for us," she said. "It belongs to all the people, organizations, providers, employers, schools, and community leaders who came to the table and worked together to make a difference for children and families."

Over the past several years, the Task Force and its partners have worked to expand child care capacity, support local providers, improve access to training and resources, and increase awareness of the important role child care plays in supporting families and the local workforce.

The designation recognizes communities that demonstrate leadership in areas such as coalition building, increasing child care capacity, supporting the child care workforce, and addressing barriers that affect access to care.

In a press release, Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst said Reno County's work serves as an example for communities across the state.

"The Task Force is a brilliant example of how collaboration and commitment can achieve better outcomes for children and families when they treat child care as essential infrastructure," Cohorst said. "We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and encourage other individuals and communities to look to them for inspiration."

The announcement noted that the recent formation of the Reno County Kids Collective will help carry this work forward by continuing to support providers, strengthen the workforce, and improve access to child care in Reno County.

The work will continue through the Reno County Kids Collective, which was established to build on the Task Force's accomplishments and continue strengthening the child care workforce, supporting providers, and improving access to quality child care throughout Reno County.

The Kansas Child Care Community Champion designation reflects the dedication, teamwork, and shared vision of a community that continues to invest in children, families, providers, and the future of Reno County.

Heather Faulkner, Reno County Child Care Task Force consultant and Executive Director of the new Kids Collective Child Care Network talks about the collaboration with many community partners as she accepts the award at the Chamber of Commerce. The Reno County Task Force was recognized as a Kansas Child Care Community Champion.


Jan Kuckelman of Child Care Aware of Kansas