By helping childcare providers expand their operations, YCDA is helping our local economy grow.
In Yakima County, the ability to access affordable childcare is more than just a family issue—it’s an economic one. The lack of affordable, available childcare options has caused over 4,000 workers to drop out of the workforce in the greater Yakima region, which has had ripple effects throughout the economy. Local businesses are feeling the strain, losing an estimated $92 million annually as parents —especially younger ones—face tough choices between work and caregiving.
Childcare doesn’t just support families; it fuels the economy. Childcare businesses are, in many ways, small but mighty economic engines. Not only do they directly employ childcare workers, but they also enable thousands of parents to stay in the workforce. For every person employed as a childcare provider, at least ten families can participate in the labor force. Increasing the supply of childcare directly benefits local businesses, which can recruit and retain more workers knowing that their employees have reliable childcare options.
Recognizing this, the Yakima County Development Association (YCDA) launched the Childcare Business Accelerator Program to boost the capacity of local childcare businesses and stabilize the local labor market. Funded through the support of Senator Patty Murray and federal grants, this program has provided crucial resources to childcare businesses, enabling them to expand and thrive. It’s an initiative with impacts that extend far beyond just one industry.
YCDA’s Childcare Business Accelerator Program worked with 72 local childcare businesses, reaching 147 business owners and operators. The program’s aim? To increase childcare capacity and enhance the business skills of those who care for our youngest community members.
Through a series of 95 workshops, and one-on-one sessions, childcare providers received training on essential skills like digital marketing, financial literacy, and overall business management. Offered in both English and Spanish, these workshops ensured that participants—80% of whom are either BIPOC, bilingual, or prefer instruction in Spanish—had access to the tools they needed to grow their businesses.
YCDA partnered with South Central Workforce, the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, and Educational Service District (ESD) 105 to host three in-person conferences in English and Spanish. These events brought together over 136 participants, offering childcare providers an opportunity to network, share knowledge, and access further resources including working with city and county permit offices, managing state regulatory requirements, and planning for growth.
The impact has been significant: 150 new childcare spaces are being created, 15 childcare jobs have been retained or created, and providers received 426 continuing education Merit STARS credits.
As Yakima County continues to grow and develop, supporting essential services like childcare will remain a cornerstone of long-term economic success. Impactful programs like the Childcare Business Accelerator increase the availability of childcare, allowing people to return to the workforce. YCDA is investing in the future of both families and businesses, helping to create a thriving, resilient community.
This column was originally published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on September 28, 2024. View the column online here.
This project, the “Childcare Accelerator Program,” is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award (Award #: 90XP0589) totaling $140,000 with 100 percent funded by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS or the U.S. Government. Please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements for more information.