Norman County East Childcare Project Regaining Momentum
Twin Valley, MN — The Norman County East Childcare Project is firing back up after a long hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. The childcare project began in the fall of 2019 to brainstorm solutions and ideas to address the childcare shortage within the Norman County East School District. Childcare needs were identified as a major concern throughout the entire county during a series Making It Home work sessions held in 2018, and this project began when several daycare providers in the district retired or left the industry. However, as they starting to gain momentum in the spring on 2020, the project got put on hold as they had to focus resources elsewhere during the pandemic, according to coordinator Sarah Kjono.
The Norman County East Childcare Project will be hosting a community meeting and provider recruitment this Wednesday, August 18th at 6:30pm at the Twin Valley Assisted Living. Community members, parents, and current and prospective childcare providers are encouraged to attend to learn more about childcare resources and about the proposed “pod” style daycare system that they are hoping to provide to potential daycare providers.
Kjono adds that childcare has become an increasingly essential part of every community, and their work got even tougher during the pandemic.
Resources will be available at the meeting from First Children’s Finance, Childcare Aware, Northwest MN Foundation, County Childcare Licensing, and more. For more information, email Sarah Kjono at sarahk@nce.k12.mn.us.
