Minneola superintendent excited to have supportive community vote yes on bond
9 November 2023
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced Wednesday the first round of Capital Projects Fund Accelerator awards, which will be going to Hays, Lawrence, and Emporia to build or renovate multi-purpose community facilities.
The governor’s office says these facilities will create 313 new licensed child care slots, provide access to high-speed internet, and house programs that facilitate work, education, and health care monitoring.
“Kansas parents need safe, affordable child care so they can join the workforce without worrying how they’ll make ends meet,” Gov. Kelly said. “That’s why we’re investing in these community centers, which will offer more options for child care along with providing essential health, educational, and technological services.”
The CPF Accelerator Request for Proposals will remain open for a second round of submissions through Dec. 18.
According to the governor’s office, approximately $28 million remains available to continue supporting the expansion of multi-purpose community facilities that meet all program criteria.
Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs previously announced this year, the Kelly administration is on track to infuse more than $94 million towards expanding access to child care for working families.
The grants are made possible by using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act from the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund, which awarded $40 million to Kansas for this program in early September.
“We’ve been thrilled to see applicants from all sectors for both of these funding opportunities – employers, local economic development, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and of course child care providers,” said the Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust FundMelissa Rooker. “We appreciate our partners, both at the community level at U.S. Treasury, for joining us as we seek to address the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”
Award grantees include:
GranteeCityFunding AwardedSlots AddedProject OverviewCommunity Children’s Center, Inc.Lawrence$4,900,0006924/7 child care facility providing drop-in and occasional care with sliding-scale tuitionThe Grove Community CenterHays$3,597,25077Community Center housing a senior center and a licensed daycareLittle Lyons of EmporiaEmporia$1,756,759167Increase child care and provide community supports such as mental health services, vocational workshops, and training activitiesTotal:$10,254,009313
According to the governor’s office, Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state.
The governor’s office says a portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to administer the program.
To learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator, click here.