Child Care
Aug. 6 Child Care Market Analysis Presentation
The Initiative Foundation and partners at St. Cloud State University hosted a presentation of new child care market analysis findings for Central Minnesota on Thursday, Aug. 6.
The research brought together data on child care supply, family demand and employment geography to provide a clearer picture of where child care gaps were most severe across Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties. The findings also explored how limited child care access affects workforce participation, household income and regional economic output.
Featured presenter
- King Banaian, Ph.D., professor of economics, St. Cloud State University
Panel participants
- Brian Fleming, economic development coordinator, Sherburne County
- Suzanne Pearl, Minnesota director, First Children’s Finance
- Jeremy Schreifels, executive director, Milestones
- Carla Vita, director, Office of Child Care and Community Partnerships, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Our Role: Helping Communities Build Capacity
The Initiative Foundation helps communities plan, coordinate, and access the resources needed to expand sustainable local child-care capacity. Our team connects partners with technical support, funding pathways and planning expertise to move child-care solutions forward.
Helping Hometowns
Communities can access planning and engagement support, needs assessments, data resources, grant connections and other capacity-building tools to help address local child-care needs and strengthen workforce participation for families and employers alike.
Engaging Employers
Employers can receive education and information about child-care resources, participate in planning sessions, and explore opportunities for public–private partnerships that support working families to strengthen the regional economy and its workforce.
Growing Opportunity
Child-care programs can access referrals to ecosystem partners for professional development, business training and funding opportunities to support program growth, strengthen quality and expand child-care options for families.
Are You Looking for Additional Information?
Fill out the interest form, and we’ll help if we can!
Child Care Solutions Newsletter
Subscribe to the Initiative Foundation’s Child-care Solutions newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming trainings, resources and other opportunities.
Contact Us
Reach out for questions about starting a child care business, to explore solutions for your community or to share your ideas and innovative strategies.
Upcoming Child-Care Trainings
Bookkeeping for Child Care Providers
Strong financial management is essential for a successful child care business. This workshop covers bookkeeping fundamentals, including tracking income and expenses, managing tuition payments, budgeting…
- Subject
- Business,Child Care
- Start Date
- October 13, 2026
Marketing Your Child Care Business
Families have more choices than ever when it comes to child care, making effective marketing critical to long-term success. This workshop explores strategies for attracting…
- Subject
- Business,Child Care
- Start Date
- November 7, 2026
Planning for the Future: Legacy Planning & Buying a Child Care Business
Whether you’re interested in selling your child care business or purchasing an existing program, planning ahead is essential. This workshop explores business transitions from both…
- Subject
- Business,Child Care
- Start Date
- December 5, 2026
IQ Magazine Stories
Supply and Demand
Morrison County takes an innovative approach to solving its childcare shortage. Read More
Front & Center: Child Care
Emerging community partnerships are taking shape to creatively influence Central Minnesota’s child care crisis. Read More
Help Wanted: Child Care Providers
Area colleges offer low-cost, no-cost accelerated early childhood certificates. Read More