{"id":171275,"date":"2023-01-09T15:38:16","date_gmt":"2023-01-10T01:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=171275"},"modified":"2023-01-09T15:38:34","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T01:38:34","slug":"get-help-starting-child-care-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2023\/01\/09\/get-help-starting-child-care-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Get help starting child care services through Windward CC<\/abbr>"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Two<\/p>\n

As Hawaiʻi<\/span> faces a desperate shortage of child care options, Windward Community College<\/a> is helping those interested in providing these critical services. You can sign up for free classes and additional financial support. A new cohort of Windward CC<\/abbr>\u2019s Family Child Care Essentials<\/a> (FCCE<\/abbr>) certificate program launches on January 25, 2023.<\/p>\n

The Windward CC<\/abbr> Office of Career and Community Education<\/a> program supports new and future family child care providers with their business practices and is available to participants across the state.<\/p>\n

“FCCE<\/abbr> had a big impact on my decision to open a family child care business,” said a former participant. “When I first started the program, I had no confidence in myself. I learned so much from the program and am very grateful. I have faith and confidence in starting up my business. I know, with the knowledge I have now, I will be successful.”<\/p>\n

The FCCE<\/abbr> program launched in 2021<\/a> and was developed to address the critical shortage in child care throughout the state. Current child care capacity in Hawaiʻi<\/span> for children ages 0–5 years is less than a third of the existing need, according to Early Childhood Action Strategy<\/a> (a stakeholder group to improve care for Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s youngest children). This situation increases stress and pressure on working parents, which in turn impacts Hawaiʻi<\/span>\u2019s employers and economy.<\/p>\n

Through the support of the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Community Foundation\u2019s Hawaiʻi<\/span> Resilience Fund and the Omidyar \u2018Ohana Fund, students enrolled in the program receive course books valued at more than $1,100 for free.<\/p>\n

Kamehameha Schools recognized the challenges faced by students in the family child care business pathway and is also providing funding. Enrolled students can receive up to a total of $900\u2013$300 for each 10 sessions of the 30-session program they complete. The program includes training from PATCH (People Attentive to Children)<\/a>, non-credit online courses from Windward CC<\/abbr>, and group and individual coaching sessions.<\/p>\n

Upon completion of the program, students can apply for an additional $1,000 completion grant.<\/p>\n

“Becoming more educated adds to the confidence of operating my family child care business. I am so thankful for this program!” said Ashley, a previous participant.<\/p>\n

For more information, call (808) 235-7363. Course information, registration and sign ups for information sessions can be found at http:\/\/windwardcce.org\/efcc<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Windward Community College\u2019s certificate program aims to address Hawaiʻi<\/span>‘s critical shortage in child care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1155,908,71,66],"class_list":["post-171275","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-child-care","tag-early-childhood-education","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t