Montrose, COLO.— The Montrose County Commissioners recently allocated $80,000 to Maslow Academy of Applied Learning. The funding will assist with the creation of their new childcare facility, Bright Beginnings at Colorado Outdoors. This facility will add up to 70 additional childcare spots for infants to preschoolers. Per the county’s funding stipulations, the added spots will also help serve households that qualify for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).
“Montrose County is as a ‘childcare desert’—finding care here is a challenge for working families and limits our workforce,” said Chair Commissioner Hansen. “We are pleased this award is helping fund a new facility for up to 70 additional children as well as opening up added spots for Colorado Child Care Assistance Program families. I am equally excited about pairing the Colorado Subsidized Training and Employment Program with Bright Beginnings at Colorado Outdoors. This program will grow and train a reliable workforce that is a critical piece in expanding childcare availability locally.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of the county and other generous donors. This endeavor would not be possible without all our partners,” said Chrissy Simmons, Executive Director of Maslow Academy of Applied Learning and Bright Beginnings at Colorado Outdoors. “We have been working diligently for years to open a new school to serve our community’s needs. We are a non-profit organization and continuously work to find money to help support our schools that is not solely relying on tuition. This $80,000 will ensure that more families in Montrose can access childcare since there are very few options available which in turn supports economic growth. Maslow Academy has been around for over 13 years providing quality and loving care and education, and this support from the county will help Bright Beginnings be sustainable like our other site.”
In addition to this funding, the county is working with Bright Beginnings at Colorado Outdoors to utilize the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP) to connect individuals who are eligible for basic cash assistance with crucial professional work experience as childcare workers. Colorado Works STEP is administered on a local level with state contractors working with the county to offer a variety of services to help boost workforce development. The program helps participants work toward earning a living wage, securing permanent employment, and creating a brighter economic future for their families. Participants learn valuable skills to prepare for careers in industries with a demonstrated shortage of qualified workers, creating unique opportunities to fill employment gaps and drive Colorado’s economy forward.
To learn more about Montrose County, please visit montrosecounty.net. More information on Bright Beginnings is available at https://maslowacademy.com/.