COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri is in a child care crisis. Like broadband, child care is at the heart of so much that affects a family’s livelihood and opportunities. Just as MU Extension has worked to improve statewide broadband access, we’re addressing Missouri’s child care crisis, too.

Thanks to our trusted presence in all 114 counties and St. Louis, the state has tapped MU Extension — along with Missouri SBDC, MU Human Development and Family Science and UMKC and UMSL partners — to work with providers to expand and improve quality child care options statewide.

All MU Extension faculty, staff and stakeholders can help connect child care providers and communities to the resources detailed below. A printable flyer and social media graphics are available to help you spread the word.

• Missouri Supporting Early Childhood Administrators (MO-SECA) is a state-funded program that provides leadership and training for childcare administrators and owners.
• Missouri Small Business Development Centers programming can be tailored to support child care startups and expansions.
• Missouri AfterSchool Network (MASN) training and resources enhance after-school programs and care for school-aged children.
• Extension faculty in MU Human Development and Family Science provide DESE-approved early childhood training. Contact Amber Allen, MU Extension field specialist in human development, at amallen@missouri.edu.
• Business & Community group presentations.

This consortium can offer clock-hour, business training, community and business consultations and more.

Several programs are in partnership with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Office of Childhood and other partners throughout Missouri. For more information, contact Sarah Kennedy, field specialist in community development, at skennedy@missouri.edu.

Learn more Feb. 20 when the childcare team presents during the Third Tuesday livestream. Also, the Show Me MO Success podcast has two child care-related episodes in February:

• Feb. 12 — MU Extension specialists on the child care crisis and response.
• Feb. 19 — Child care providers discuss needs and resources.