Childcare Efforts

The City of Florence has been championing efforts of local and regional partners who are involved in supporting and growing the childcare resources in Florence. The City continues to coordinate efforts within our community to support childcare providers. Below is a review of the efforts by the City. 

Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane - Grant Program:

The City of Florence, through a partnership with Tykeson Family Foundation and United Way of Lane County, was able to leverage a $10,000 investment in the Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County (BGC) into a $30,000 grant program. The City's investment was able to provide 100% scholarships for 9 families, 64% scholarships for two families and reduce the weekly cost for all families that attend the Boys and Girls Club by $25 dollars per week. 43% of all families at the BGC are ALICE families (Asset limited, income contrained, employed). This investment in the Boys and Girls Club is an investment in the City's workforce. When children have a safe, welcoming environment to be at, their parents and guardians feel better about being part of the workforce. 

PPE Distribution:

The City of Florence distributed over $135,000, over $4,000 of PPE was specifically distributed to them, at no cost to their business including:

• Over 1,600 masks 

• Over 1,800 pairs of disposable gloves 

• Over 100 Bottles of Aerosol Spray 

• Over 120 packages of sanitizing wipes 

• Over 20 Gallons of hand sanitizer 

• 5 thermometers 

• 6 touchless hand sanitizer stands

Childcare Providers Equipment and Supplies Grants:

The City of Florence received a $10,000 grant through the Cascades West Economic Develpment District (CWEDD). This grant is a way for CWEDD to respond to the specific recovery needs in the unique communities across their district. Grants will be given to childcare providers for equipment and supplies to support their businesses as COVID requirements are loosening and allowable group sizes are returning to pre-pandemic levels. CLICK HERE for more information. 

Regional Collaboration:

The City is also committed to creating partnerships across Lane County that will hopefully  lead to a long-term solution to the childcare desert in our area. Starting in August 2021, the City of Florence with support from the United Way of Lane County, will be hosting monthly stakeholder meetings with over 30 different agencies, including Lane Workforce Partnership, Florence, Springfield and Eugene Chamber of Commerce, Lane County, PeaceHealth, and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.