New Initiative Aims To Ease W.Va’s. Childcare Shortage 

Save the Children, an international humanitarian nonprofit that works to help children around the world, is taking applications for a new childcare education program. It aims to increase the number of qualified childcare employees and teachers in 14 rural West Virginia counties.  

The program will pay tuition for everything from an online, one-year credential to a bachelor’s degree in childcare or education. It also covers other expenses that can make it hard to meet the qualifications that are needed.  

“We pay for books, for their exam fees,” Brooke Smith, assistant state director for West Virginia, said. “We also provide them what we call a barrier reduction stipend. They can use that to pay for internet or pay for fuel for their car to get to and from classes. They can use it to pay for childcare while they’re learning.” 

Recipients must reside in one of the following counties: Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Gilmer, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Nicholas, McDowell, Summers, Webster or Wyoming.  

“We are working to fill critical gaps in child care and early learning,” Smith said.  

She estimated that 28% of rural West Virginia families with children under the age of five lack access to childcare and early childcare education. “That’s estimated to be more than 28,000 West Virginia children currently lacking access,” Smith said. “Some counties there are as few as one or no child care providers available to families. That creates a big issue for families that are in the workforce.” 

Phase two of the initiative, later this year, will provide salary support for childcare employers who hire apprentices. For more information email Brooke Smith at brosmith@savechildren.org.