FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Child Care Aware of Kansas Honors Ellis Child Care Coalition as a Child Care Community Champion
Ellis, Kansas – March 2026
Child Care Aware of Kansas is proud to recognize Ellis Child Care Coalition as a Child Care Community Champion, honoring their outstanding dedication and commitment to strengthening local child care systems. This recognition is a part of the Child Care Friendly Communities initiative, a statewide program that uplifts community-led efforts to make child care accessible, sustainable, and supportive for Kansas families and providers.
The Child Care Community Champion designation celebrates individuals, coalitions, and organizations making considerable strides in improving child care through one or more of four key pillars:
1. Child Care Impact Partner
This pillar recognizes communities that have formed diverse and active coalitions focused on building available child care.
2. No Barriers, Bright Futures
This pillar celebrates efforts to remove local policy barriers that make it challenging to open or expand child care programs.
3. Child Care Capacity Builders
This pillar honors work to increase the number of available child care slots and expand access for families in Kansas.
4. Backbone Support Initiative
This pillar highlights investments in the well-being and sustainability of the child care workforce.
The recognition of Ellis Child Care Coalition as a Child Care Community Champion demonstrates their commitment to achieve commitment to creating lasting improvements in the child care landscape by truly listening to the needs of the community. The Coalition has been instrumental in increasing child care capacity, ensuring more families have access to dependable, high‑quality care. Through this continued collaboration, the community is better positioned to support children, families, and providers for years to come.
Child Care Aware of Kansas Interim Executive Director Kami Cohorst praises Ellis Child Care Coalition as a model of successful sustainable change for Kansas families through their efforts. “Ellis Child Care Coalition is a brilliant example of how collaboration and commitment can achieve better outcomes for children and families when they treat child care as essential infrastructure,” Cohorst says. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and encourage other individuals and communities to look to them for inspiration.
Celebrate Your Child Care Friendly Community
Child Care Aware of Kansas encourages communities across the state to follow the lead of Ellis Child Care Coalition by participating in the Child Care Friendly Communities program. Individuals and communities can earn recognition as Child Care Community Champions in a variety of ways, from forming new coalitions to supporting and expanding existing efforts. Through celebration of hard work and intentional collaboration, Child Care Friendly Communities and Child Care Aware of Kansas hope to create a brighter future for children and families across the state.
Does someone you know deserve to be awarded the Child Care Community Champion designation? Visit our interactive map to connect with your local Community Outreach & Engagement coordinator, choose what designations matter most to your community, and nominate someone in your community for this award.
About Child Care Aware of Kansas
Child Care Aware of Kansas is a statewide organization dedicated to ensuring that every family in Kansas has access to quality, affordable child care. Through community partnerships, education, and advocacy, the organization empowers communities to strengthen early childhood infrastructure and support the well-being of children, families, and providers.
About Child Care Friendly Communities
Child Care Friendly Communities is a flexible, community-led designation program that recognizes and supports local efforts to strengthen local child care. Whether communities are just starting out or are expanding their existing work, they can earn recognition through the pillars of Child Care Impact Partner, No Barriers, Bright Futures, Child Care Capacity Builders, and Backbone Support Initiative, based on their unique goals and capacities.
Media Contact
Desiree Donovan
Communications Manager
Child Care Aware of Kansas
855-750-3343
desiree.donovan@ks.childcareaware.org
www.ks.childcareaware.org