New Solutions to Workforce Barriers: Hardy County stacks hands to meet childcare needs.
Hardy County's employers and the region's economic development authority recognized that the need for childcare in the area severely limited the available workforce.
Moms and dads wanted to work, but needed childcare. Employers needed reliable workers. To fill that void and boost workforce productivity, Hardy County came up with a new idea. They pulled resources and solved their own challenge. Together employers, government, parents, and community leaders created more than a daycare - they created an educational hub and expanded the areas workforce.
Everyone stepped up. The Hardy County Rural Development Authority purchased the property, and a non-profit daycare (eligible for grant support) was placed in the facility. Now, local employers, including Pilgrim's Pride, American Woodmark, the Town of Moorefield, Hardy Telecom. and the Hardy County Commission, provide in-kind support. They all pitch in with discounted food, property renovation, upkeep and maintenance.
The local food bank also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to the daycare and the local health department provides immunizations at times that work around the parents’ shift schedules. The daycare also opens early for shift times of local employees.
“Our motto at the Hardy County Child Care Center is 'Touching hearts & building a better future, one child at a time,'" said Charlene Zink, head of the daycare center. "It takes a village to raise happy children, and working together, we are their village."
Moms and dads wanted to work, but needed childcare. Employers needed reliable workers. To fill that void and boost workforce productivity, Hardy County came up with a new idea. They pulled resources and solved their own challenge. Together employers, government, parents, and community leaders created more than a daycare - they created an educational hub and expanded the areas workforce.
Everyone stepped up. The Hardy County Rural Development Authority purchased the property, and a non-profit daycare (eligible for grant support) was placed in the facility. Now, local employers, including Pilgrim's Pride, American Woodmark, the Town of Moorefield, Hardy Telecom. and the Hardy County Commission, provide in-kind support. They all pitch in with discounted food, property renovation, upkeep and maintenance.
The local food bank also supplies fresh fruits and vegetables to the daycare and the local health department provides immunizations at times that work around the parents’ shift schedules. The daycare also opens early for shift times of local employees.
“Our motto at the Hardy County Child Care Center is 'Touching hearts & building a better future, one child at a time,'" said Charlene Zink, head of the daycare center. "It takes a village to raise happy children, and working together, we are their village."