HUTCHINSON, Kan. (June 2, 2026) — The Reno County Child Care Task Force is honored to be recognized by Child Care Aware of Kansas as a Child Care Community Champion, a designation that celebrates community-led efforts to strengthen local child care systems and support Kansas families, providers, and communities.
This recognition is part of the Child Care Friendly Communities initiative, a statewide program that uplifts local efforts to make child care more accessible, sustainable, and supportive. The Child Care Community Champion designation honors individuals, coalitions, and organizations making considerable strides in improving child care through one or more of four key pillars:
- Child Care Impact Partner – This pillar recognizes communities that have formed diverse and active coalitions focused on building available child care.
- No Barriers, Bright Futures – This pillar celebrates efforts to remove local policy barriers that make it challenging to open or expand child care programs.
- Child Care Capacity Builders – This pillar honors work to increase the number of available child care slots and expand access for families in Kansas.
- Backbone Support Initiative – This pillar highlights investments in the well-being and sustainability of the child care workforce.
The recognition of the Reno County Child Care Task Force as a Child Care Community Champion reflects years of collaborative work to address local child care challenges through a strong network of community partners, early care providers, employers, families, and local leaders.
Through this collective effort, the Task Force has focused on increasing child care capacity, enhancing quality early education through provider training, and helping sustain local child care businesses. With the founding of the Reno County Kids Collective, this important work will continue with a focus on strengthening the child care workforce and the overall child care infrastructure in Reno County.
Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst praised the Reno County Child Care Task Force as a model of successful, sustainable change for Kansas families.
“The Task Force is a brilliant example of how collaboration and commitment can achieve better outcomes for children and families when they treat child care as essential infrastructure,” Cohorst says. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and encourage other individuals and communities to look to them for inspiration.”
The Reno County Child Care Task Force is grateful for this recognition and proud of the community-wide collaboration that made it possible. This designation is not only a celebration of the work that has been done, but also a reminder of the continued importance of investing in child care as essential infrastructure for families, businesses, and the future of Reno County.
About Reno County Child Care Task Force
The Reno County Child Care Task Force is a community coalition focused on strengthening the local child care system by supporting providers, expanding access for families, increasing child care capacity, and building long-term solutions that support Reno County’s children, families, workforce, and economy.
About Child Care Aware of Kansas
Child Care Aware of Kansas is a statewide organization dedicated to ensuring that every family in Kansas has access to quality, affordable child care. Through community partnerships, education, and advocacy, the organization empowers communities to strengthen early childhood infrastructure and support the well-being of children, families, and providers.
