A Washington State Department of Commerce grant will help support informal caregivers in Okanogan County with appropriate learning resources and training. | Stock Photo
A Washington State Department of Commerce grant will help support informal caregivers in Okanogan County with appropriate learning resources and training. | Stock Photo
The North Central Educational Service District will use an $87,600 grant to help Family, Friend and Neighbor (FNN) caregivers to support Okanogan County children and families.
The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded the Child Care Partnership Grant to support the districting establish connections and offer learning and resources to expand childcare capacity by developing community-based plans, the district said in a release posted on the Quad City Herald website.
Partners in the community project include the Omak School District, the Tonasket School District, the Wenatchee Valley College, the Apple STEM Network, Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington, the Coalition for Children and Families of NCW, Family Health Centers and North Central Washington Libraries.
The lack of childcare centers resulted in limited investment in professional learning opportunities for the informal FNN caregivers, the release on the Quad City Herald website said. The district anticipated that it could meet the need if it were properly developed and reinforced with systemic foundational supports.
The grant will enable the district and its partners to establish relationships with caregivers, offer ongoing learning, share best practices for developmentally appropriate care, build a foundation to address providers’ needs, expand childcare capacity in rural communities and increase care for isolated families in the county.
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