Bridged by two states, Kansas and Missouri, working families in the greater Kansas City area are faced with two state regulatory standards. They also face challenges with public transportation, the threat of losing publicly funded after-school care in Missouri, and a shortage of affordable, quality care. In 1996 the ABC focused on increasing the supply of family childcare that could operating when working parents needed it. The ABC also partnered with local foundations to increase the number of NAEYC accredited child care centers. In the summer of 1999, Hallmark and American Century as members of the Kansas City Employer Collaboration, joined forces to develop the communities first Summer of Service program. In response to the need for subsidized backup care, the ABC members piloted the Just in Time Care program, a comprehensive backup care program offered throughout the metro region, including both the state of Missouri and Kansas. Challenges still facing working families are he increased need for infant care and the development of school-based before/after-school programs. In the year 2000, the ABC will focus on supporting home based caregivers and working parents' ability to help their child succeed in schools through a Academic Enrichment project.

Funding Companies

American Century Investments
Arthur Andersen LLP
AT&T
Bank of America
Citibank, N.A.
Deloitte & Touche
General Electric
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
IBM Corporation
Investors Fiduciary Trust Company
Lucent Technologies

Projects

Early Childhood
Accreditation/Credential for Family Child Care Providers
On-Site Training Program for Child Care Center
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Project
Activity Kits for Family Child Care Providers
CORE Basic Competency Curriculum for Family Child Care Providers
Advanced CORE Curriculum Training for Family Child Care Providers
Family Child Care Clusters

School-Age
Summer of Service
Teamswork! On the Road to Accreditation

Backup
Backup Dependent Care Subsidy Just In Time Care (JITC)

Elder Care
Elder Care Fair