Child Care & Early Education Community Planning Project 

Heart of Missouri United Way proudly served as the lead organization for the Boone County Child Care & Early Education Community Planning Project, a statewide initiative designed to strengthen access to high-quality child care and early learning opportunities for children and families. The project recognizes that a strong child care system is essential not only for children’s development, but also for workforce participation, business growth, and the overall health of our community. 

As part of a statewide cohort selected by Kids Win Missouri, Heart of Missouri United Way convened a diverse Community Leadership Team that included parents, child care providers, educators, business leaders, economic development partners, and other early childhood stakeholders. Together, the team worked to identify local strengths, understand gaps in services, and develop strategies to build a more sustainable and accessible child care system.

The planning process included:

• Assessing the local child care and early education landscape
• Analyzing community needs and available resources
• Identifying funding gaps and opportunities for investment
• Evaluating the true cost of providing high-quality care
• Developing a community-driven action plan for long-term improvement

This work reflects Heart of Missouri United Way’s commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and that families have access to the support they need to succeed.

Learn more about the Child Care & Early Education Community Planning Project and explore community planning resources by visiting Boone County’s page on the Missouri Champion of Children website: Boone County – Missouri Champion of Children