Strengthening Childcare Through Collaboration

Access to childcare remains one of the most pressing barriers to workforce participation in Southwest Missouri.

Through alignment with Kids Win Missouri and the Child Care & Early Education Community Planning Project of Stone and Taney Counties, Neighbor helped support a coordinated, multi-sector planning effort that began in April 2025.

That planning positioned the region to participate in Missouri Child Care Works, a new $2.5 million state cost-sharing program designed to make childcare more affordable by aligning employer, employee, state, and philanthropic funding .

Research conducted locally identified a need for 1,435 infant and toddler slots. While many providers have physical capacity, workforce shortages limit expansion . The coalition is now working with the Stone County Economic Development Department, employers, providers, and nonprofit leaders to prepare applications for Child Care Works funding and explore complementary philanthropic solutions to strengthen provider eligibility and workforce retention.

This work builds the infrastructure to unlock state dollars, employer participation, and future local investment.

That is catalytic philanthropy at work and we are excited for the emerging opportunities and solutions coming out of this project!