About

community group meeting about childcare issues

About Geary County Child Care Coalition (GC3C)

Established in 2022, GC3C is a collaborative effort of city and county officials, school systems, businesses, nonprofits, and the chamber of commerce. Our mission is to enhance child care resources, support child care providers, and ensure families in Geary County have access to high-quality early childhood education opportunities. Through strategic partnerships and advocacy, we work to create sustainable solutions to the child care crisis in our community.

GC3C operates under the fiscal sponsorship of Live Well Geary County (LWGC), a 501c3 non-profit organization. GC3C falls under the LWGC Board, and LWGC is a key partner in our coalition, supporting financial management, strategic planning, and collaboration efforts.

In 2025, GC3C hired a Program Coordinator through a prior grant. This position is responsible for supporting child care providers, assisting families in accessing child care resources, coordinating workforce development efforts, and facilitating community partnerships to expand child care options in the county.

The 2025 GC3C Steering Committee Includes:

Amy Garner, GC3C Program Coordinator
Susan Jagerson, LWGC
Kristy Haden, USD 475
Rhianna Nelson, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas
Nikki Garner, Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce/EDC
Trish Giordano, Geary County
Katherine O’Shea, City of Junction City

Renae Riedy, K-State Research and Extension
Jordan McCann, Junction City Main Street
Tracy Geisler, Geary Community Healthcare Foundation
Sofia Gallup, Little Learners Childhood Connections
Emily Burtis, Dorothy Bramlage Public Library
Arrell Davis, Provider Liaison
Megan Sage, Family Liaison

The Challenge

According to the 2024 Kansas Early Childhood Needs Assessment, Geary County is classified as a child care desert, with a significant shortage of licensed child care facilities. Key challenges include:

Limited Availability

Geary County has a total of 33 licensed child care facilities, including 7 child care centers and 25 family child care homes, serving a population of 4,776 children under six. However, only 23% of the potential demand is currently met, leaving a gap of 1,971 needed child care slots.

Workforce Retention Issues

The number of family child care homes has decreased from 27 in 2023 to 25 in 2025, exacerbating the shortage. Low wages and lack of benefits contribute to high turnover rates, making it difficult to sustain providers.

Affordability

The average full-time weekly child care cost in Geary County is approximately $191.30 for infants in family homes and $235.43 for infants in child care centers, placing a significant financial burden on working families.

Infrastructure Barriers

A lack of suitable facilities to support expanded child care operations further constrains capacity growth, with many existing facilities requiring renovations or upgrades to meet licensing standards.

Recent Achievements

Awarded two 2023 Child Care Community Partnership Grants, one for Implementing Child Care Capacity, which funded a Child Care Crisis Summit to engage businesses on child care needs, and another for Implementing Child Care Capacity Building Plans, which funded a Provider Resource & Recruitment Fair and supported community awareness, licensing fees, training, and provider expansion.
Awarded the 2024 Child Care Community Partnership Grant focused on Child Care Capacity, using funds to hire a part-time coordinator and continue hosting informational summits and networking for providers and business leaders.
Delivered care packages and yard signs to providers for Provider Appreciation Day, recognizing and supporting their contributions.
Partnered with Live Well Geary County (501c3) as a fiscal agent, ensuring financial transparency and organizational structure.
Worked with the City of Junction City to successfully revise child care ordinances, removing barriers such as local fees and restrictions on hours of operation, while also strengthening enforcement against illegal child care operations, now classified as a misdemeanor.
Back To Top