Tacoma, WA. – Last week YCDA’s Executive Director Jon Smith and Bilingual Business Development Manager Yani Cisneros presented in Tacoma, WA. at the Washington Workforce Association Conference on the impact of the Childcare Accelerator Program in the Yakima Valley. They were joined by Lindsay Boswell, Chief Program Officer at the Yakima Valley Community Foundation. Together, this dynamic trio shared insights into the program’s success in empowering local childcare providers with the tools and resources necessary to expand their operations and meet the growing demand for accessible, quality childcare in our region.
As Yakima County’s industries continue to grow, the need for workforce has never been greater. However, a barrier for many working families is the lack of affordable and available childcare options. The Childcare Accelerator Program directly addresses this gap by providing business resources and tools across the following areas:
- Business Development Training: Helping childcare providers scale sustainably.
- Financial Resources: Supporting facility upgrades and capacity expansion.
- Community Support: Fostering a network of providers who can share best practices and collaborate effectively.
The session highlighted the importance of cross-sector partnerships in driving meaningful change. YCDA’s partnership with the Yakima Valley Community Foundation and South Central Workforce has bee pivotal in ensuring the Childcare Accelerator Program not only meets current needs but also anticipates future workforce demands. “Supporting childcare providers means supporting our community as a whole,” Yani noted. “When families have access to reliable childcare, parents can fully participate in the workforce, when businesses have access to resources they can thrive.”
With programs like the Childcare Accelerator, Yakima County is working towards a future of economic growth and community well-being. YCDA remains committed to fostering these essential connections and empowering the local workforce.
