January 31, 2025
Families and childcare providers have long faced challenges in accessing and sustaining quality childcare, but in 2024, partners in Hannibal and Palmyra came together to take action.
Through a collaboration with Kids Win Missouri, the Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council (HREDC) partnered with United Way, Douglass Community Services, childcare providers, nonprofit leaders, and employers to conduct a childcare needs assessment for Marion and Ralls Counties. The assessment combined quantitative data with surveys of parents, providers, and employers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the childcare landscape in the region.
Assessing the Shortfall
Using census and provider data, the Kids Win Missouri analysis estimated a significant childcare gap:
Using census and provider data, the Kids Win Missouri analysis estimated a significant childcare gap:
- Infant to two-year-olds: Of 935 children estimated to be seeking care in this age group, only 234 registered slots were available, leaving a shortfall of 719 slots.
- Three to five-year-olds: With 969 children seeking care and only 647 available slots, there was a shortfall of 322 slots.
Additionally, surveys from 96 local parents and 11 employers reinforced the quantitative findings, highlighting key concerns:
- Limited availability and long waitlists for childcare.
- Parents make hard tradeoffs to secure care.
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High costs associated with enrollment.
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Employers experience the shortage when employees take time off, trade shifts, or in some cases terminate their employment to fill childcare gaps.
A Plan for Action
In November, the childcare needs assessment committee reconvened to develop a strategy for addressing these challenges, prioritizing three key objectives:
In November, the childcare needs assessment committee reconvened to develop a strategy for addressing these challenges, prioritizing three key objectives:
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Expanding access to high-quality, affordable infant-toddler care.
- Strengthening and supporting the childcare workforce.
- Engaging business, civic, and philanthropic communities to sustain and advance these efforts.
Building on these priorities, HREDC, United Way, Douglass Community Services, and community partners are working with Kids Win Missouri on four initiatives in 2025:
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Community & Policy Leadership Tours to increase awareness of regional early childcare providers.
- Infant-Toddler Expansion Cohort, providing resources to help existing providers grow and strengthen services.
- Child Care Exchange Community of Practice, exploring innovative models for increasing childcare slots.
- Child Care Advocacy, Policy Work & Strategic Planning, engaging at the state level through Kids Win Missouri.
Engaging Legislators for Change
Last week, Kids Win Missouri, United Way, and Douglass Community Services co-hosted a “Lunch with Legislators” event, allowing parents to share their childcare experiences directly with state representatives. State Representatives Louis Riggs (Marion and Ralls Counties) and Kent Haden (Callaway, Monroe, and Audrain Counties) attended, listening to firsthand accounts from parents struggling with limited availability, high costs, and regulatory barriers. Representative Haden even shared his own personal challenge, noting that he had to leave quickly after the meeting to pick up his own grandchild due to childcare limitations.
Last week, Kids Win Missouri, United Way, and Douglass Community Services co-hosted a “Lunch with Legislators” event, allowing parents to share their childcare experiences directly with state representatives. State Representatives Louis Riggs (Marion and Ralls Counties) and Kent Haden (Callaway, Monroe, and Audrain Counties) attended, listening to firsthand accounts from parents struggling with limited availability, high costs, and regulatory barriers. Representative Haden even shared his own personal challenge, noting that he had to leave quickly after the meeting to pick up his own grandchild due to childcare limitations.
This discussion echoed concerns statewide and may contribute to positive changes in Missouri’s childcare policies.
Statewide Efforts to Support Childcare
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe addressed the childcare crisis in his first State of the State Address, announcing several key initiatives:
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe addressed the childcare crisis in his first State of the State Address, announcing several key initiatives:
- Regulatory Reform: An executive order directing the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood to rewrite childcare regulations, making them clearer and more navigable.
- Employer-Childcare Partnerships: A $10 million grant program to support collaborations between employers, community partners, and providers to expand childcare access.
- Subsidy Payment Reforms: Beginning in 2026, childcare providers will receive state subsidy payments at the start of each month based on enrollment rather than attendance, ensuring more reliable funding.
HREDC and United Way will explore employer-provider partnership models aligned with these state initiatives while also seeking local providers interested in expanding infant and toddler care through strategic growth opportunities.
Taking Local Action
While the childcare crisis remains a significant challenge, Marion and Ralls Counties are taking proactive steps to address the issue at the local level. By combining community-driven solutions with state support, regional leaders are working to build a stronger, more sustainable childcare system.
While the childcare crisis remains a significant challenge, Marion and Ralls Counties are taking proactive steps to address the issue at the local level. By combining community-driven solutions with state support, regional leaders are working to build a stronger, more sustainable childcare system.
For more information about the 2024 Childcare Needs Assessment or any of these initiatives, please contact:
- Maria Kuhns, Executive Director, Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council – (573) 221-1033
- Denise Damron, Executive Director, United Way of Mark Twain Area – (573) 221-2761
