Salina Area United Way Awards 2026–2027 Early Childcare Initiative Grants to Local Providers
SALINA, KS — Salina Area United Way is proud to announce the recipients of its Early Childcare Initiative Fund (ECIF) grants for the 2026–2027 cycle, marking another step forward in strengthening early childhood care in Saline and Ellsworth Counties.
This year, ECIF awarded a total of $346,462 in grants to support wage supplements, longevity stipends, non-traditional hour care, and other targeted initiatives for local childcare providers. The funding aims to help providers expand access, retain talented staff, and improve quality of care for children and families in the region.
Grant Recipients Include:
Wage Supplement Grants (Centers):
Magnolia Kids
St. Mary’s Love and Learn
Martin Luther King Childcare
Salina Child Care Association
Longevity Stipends (Centers):
St. Mary’s Love and Learn
Salina Child Care Association
CAPS
Magnolia Kids
Wage Supplement Grants (In-Home Providers):
Alicia Thompson — Thompson's Turtle Tots
Ashley Mendez — Little Rebels Daycare
Bonnie Sanchez — Bonnie's Grow and Thrive Daycare
Dove Sarikh — Education Station
Felicia York — Little Sprouts Child Care
Jessica LeFort — Jessi's Jumping Kangaroos
Jodi Owen — Creative Minds Childcare
Molly Hasse — Dazzle Daycare
Molly Lubbers-Hogan — A Place to Grow
Morgan Austin — Small Smiles Childcare
Nicole George — Curious George Daycare
Patricia Knight — Babes-N-Tots
Susan Brake — Susan Jean Brake Day Care Home
Tami Niehoff — Tots & Tods Childcare
Teela Martinez — Teela's Child Care
Terri Jo Hendricks — Terri Jo Hendricks Daycare Home
Vanessa Corona — Tiny Adventures Daycare
Non-Traditional Hours Grants (In-Home Providers):
Alicia Thompson — Thompson's Turtle Tots
Felicia York — Little Sprouts Child Care
Jessica LeFort — Jessi's Jumping Kangaroos
Jodi Owen — Creative Minds Childcare
Meghan Carter — Meghan's Munchkins
Nicole George — Curious George Daycare
Tami Niehoff — Tots & Tods Childcare
Terri Jo Hendricks — Terri Jo Hendricks Daycare Home
Vanessa Corona — Tiny Adventures Daycare
Salina Area United Way extends its sincere congratulations to all grant recipients and is proud to partner with these dedicated providers throughout the 2026–2027 grant cycle. Their commitment to serving children and families plays a vital role in strengthening the community’s early childhood system.
“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting child care providers who are the backbone of our community,” said Michelle Groopman, Early Childcare Initiative Director of Salina Area United Way. “By investing in their workforce, we are investing in families, children, and the long-term health of our local economy.”
Since launching in 2023, ECIF has granted more than $900,000, created 229 new child care slots, increased wages for center-based staff, and reduced staffing vacancies across the early childhood care system.
The program expanded this year to include in-home providers and providers in Ellsworth County, made possible through a Child Care Zones grant awarded in September 2025. The Kansas Child Care Zones grant is a 2025–2026 pilot program funded by a federal Preschool Development Grant (PDG B-5) and is designed to address local child care shortages through community-driven solutions. The initiative supports regional efforts to increase childcare capacity, strengthen the workforce, and enhance quality across the early childhood system.
Salina Area United Way continues to emphasize that ECIF is more than funding—it’s about creating strong partnerships, providing technical assistance, and fostering a resilient early childhood system.
We would also like to say thank you to our local partners who have supported the Early Childcare Initiative including:
Great Plains Manufacturing – Diamond Donor
Earl Bane Foundation
Salina Regional Health Foundation
Equity Bank
Superior Contracting and Manufacturing Services
Bergkamp
Nex-Tech
Exline
Salina Family Healthcare Center
Jack Wilson Charitable Trust
And all our generous private donors
For more information about ECIF, or to learn how to apply for future grant cycles, visit unitedwaysalina.org or contact Salina Area United Way.
