Providers throughout our service delivery area have the option of participating in special projects available through alternate funding sources.

Smart Start. Providers in Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford Counties may be eligible to receive additional mini-grants training, infant/toddler subsidies, and/or professional incentive checks through Smart Start. Providers should contact Smart Start at 620.231.8811 for more information.

KELC. Providers in Crawford, Cherokee, and Montgomery may be eligible to participate in a multi-agency initiative that increases quality infant/toddler slots through the Kansas Early Learning Collaborative (KELC).

Early Head Start. Providers in Lyon County may be eligible to participate in Early Head Start through ECKAN. Providers should call 785.242.7450 for more information.

Providers in Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Neosho, Montgomery, and Woodson may be eligible to participate in Early Head Start through SEK-CAP. Providers should call 620.724.8204 for more information.

Healthy Kansas Kids. Healthy Kansas Kids is designed to improve best practices for physical activity and nutrition in the early childhood setting. Healthy Kansas Kids is funded through a grant from United Methodist Health Ministries Fund. Currently, this opportunity is available to child care centers and preschools associated with United Methodist churches.

Strengthening Families. This is an intensive technical assistance program that focuses on developing the child care professional and parent relationship in order to better support and strengthen the parent –child relationship. New providers are chosen every July to participate. Ten providers in Crawford and Lyon Counties are enrolled for the 09-10 program year.

 In addition to these programs, there are several other state initiatives that are not currently available in our area but could be added in the future as additional funding is made available. Details of the T.E.A.C.H., WAGE$, and Kansas Quality Rating System (KQRS) programs, with contact information, can be found on the Child Care Aware of Kansas website.

If you have questions about any of these programs, please contact our office at 866.732.9700 or submit a request for information online. Staff are available from 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday, to answer your questions.