Grant expands services at Walla Walla Center for Children and Families

WALLA WALLA – (News release from Walla Walla School District) The Department of Commerce recently awarded Akin (formerly Children’s Home Society) $216,052 for the Childcare Capacity Building Partnership Project. This money was awarded through a partnership agreement with Walla Walla Public Schools for the minor renovation of the Center for Children and Families (CCF) to support the addition of birth-to-age 2 program services at the center.

“The facilities grant award by the Department of Commerce highlights the effective partnership between two high-quality early learning service providers,” notes Brent Cummings, Director of Early Learning with Walla Walla Public Schools. “Akin, formerly Children’s Home Society of Washington, is a statewide leader in breaking down barriers to childcare access in partnership with local organizations, schools and community leaders.”

Walla Walla Public Schools Center for Children & Families provides robust and comprehensive preschool services as a centralized community learning hub and family resource center. This partnership will greatly expand family access to fully subsidized infant and toddler childcare throughout our region.

“This is a specific priority-based need highlighted in the Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition’s most recent feasibility study, according to Cummings.

The remodeling of 1,328 square feet of classroom and office space at the center will result in the creation of 20 new Working Connection Childcare (WCCC) slots for children ages 0-2, expanding the fully subsidized slot capacity for infants and toddlers in the community to a total of 40.

“I am so happy to be partnering with Walla Walla Public Schools to build childcare and early learning capacity in Walla Walla,” said Akin Chief Early Learning Officer Meagan Anderson-Pira. “We are both honored to be awarded these funds.”

The projected completion date is December 2024.

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Elkhorn Media Group

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