Johnson County Coalition Tackles Childcare Affordability Gaps with New Initiative
In response to growing concerns about access, affordability, and quality in early childhood care, the Johnson County Community Foundation (JCCF) has launched the Bright Beginnings Early Care and Education Coalition.
“Across the state, many aspirational models exist, and we are actively exploring all options while listening to diverse perspectives to determine the best approach for Johnson County,” said Kim Kasting, President & CEO of JCCF.
“The Coalition, which recently began meeting monthly, will spend 2025 establishing goals, tasks, and objectives to support providers, families seeking childcare, and businesses navigating the complexities of early childhood care and education.”
The initiative, sparked by a countywide needs assessment in 2024, aims to address a critical shortfall in early childcare seats while supporting families, providers, and employers alike.
“Early childcare and education are truly economic development and quality of life issues,” said Amanda Rubadue, Vice President of Economic Development at Aspire. “Quality, affordable childcare provides parents with an opportunity to continue their careers, provide for their families, and give their children a great start to their education.”
The Foundation’s efforts initially stemmed from a Lilly Endowment grant application, which, although unsuccessful, uncovered urgent gaps in local childcare access. The application process and research, however, proved invaluable.
There are approximately 12,000 children in Johnson County between the ages of zero to 5 and research revealed that more than two-thirds or 68% of their parents are working, according to Brighter Futures Indiana Data Center.
The Johnson County Community Foundation collaborated with Transform Consulting Group to help identify childcare needs and opportunities in the county in 2024.
Research has shown that when childcare is unstable for parents, it’s not just the families who suffer, their employers struggle as well. According to the Daily Journal article on JCCF’s educational initiatives, childcare challenges cost employers in the United States an estimated $3 billion annually.
The Daily Journal wrote: “A 2016 report titled ‘The Economic Impacts of Investing in Early Childhood Education in Indiana’ estimated that for every dollar invested in early childhood education the return on investment can be $4 to $15 due to the lower special education costs, retention costs, reduced cost for social issues such as teen pregnancy and homelessness, an increase in post-secondary attainment and lower crime costs.”
To get involved with the Coalition, community members can contact the Foundation or email Kasting directly at kimm@jccf.org.
“Securing funding remains our greatest challenge,” said Kasting. “The Coalition will actively pursue public and private resources to bridge the gap and ensure that every child in Johnson County has the opportunity for a bright beginning.”