Salina, KS – Salina Area United Way is excited to announce that the organization has received a $15,000 Early Childcare Initiative Fund donation from Salina Family Healthcare Center. Their organization’s donation will help create huge ongoing strides in the Saline County Childcare Initiative by sponsoring three local childcare teachers to ensure that they earn a living wage, helping to keep our centers fully staffed, which will in return open more childcare slots throughout the community.
This donation from Salina Family Healthcare Center is another crucial step towards making strong and lasting steps in combating childcare issues and shortages due to workforce in Saline County. Salina Area United Way is so appreciate of the local businesses and organizations in the community that are stepping up to support the Childcare Initiative to Unite For Our Children.
“Salina Family Healthcare Center is excited to sponsor the Early Childcare Initiative Fund,” says Dr. Bob Kraft, CEO of Salina Family Healthcare Center. “Salina Family is committed to collaborating with local partners to improve the health and wellness of our community. The Early Childcare Initiative Fund stands as our best chance to improve a quality childcare access problem that has negatively impacted our local children, parents, and businesses for decades. Please join us in supporting this Initiative.”
In April, Salina Area United Way announced the start and opening of the Early Childcare Initiative Fund at their organization. Through the fund, local centers will be able to apply on an annual basis for wage supplement grants, to bring assistant teachers to $15/hr. and lead teachers to $18/hr. Currently nearly all childcare centers in Saline County, except for one, are paying $4 less than the wages listed above.
“We are so appreciative of this generous donation from Salina Family Healthcare Center,” says Claire Ludes, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way. “The Early Childcare Initiative Fund is gaining huge momentum for our community to combat the childcare shortage in our area, thanks to all our generous individual donors and businesses so far. You are truly helping us in the mission to Strengthen Our Community!”
For more information about Salina Area United Way and the Early Childhood Initiative Fund, or how you can donate, please call the SAUW office at 785-827-1312 or email the Early Childcare Initiative Director, Christina Small. Stay tuned for more upcoming information regarding the Early Childcare Initiative Fund and how Salina Area United Way and community partners are combating childcare issues in Saline County.