First Children’s Finance has chosen Fergus Falls to participate in their Rural Child Care Innovation Program. The Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP) addresses the challenges of rural child care through the lens of economic development.
The RCCIP uses a community engagement process designed to identify right-sized solutions to increase the supply of high quality affordable child care in rural communities.
By mobilizing community members and empowering the creation of community-based solutions, rural communities are able to preserve existing child care businesses and add new child care slots.
The RCCIP uses a community engagement process designed to identify right-sized solutions to increase the supply of high quality affordable child care in rural communities.
By mobilizing community members and empowering the creation of community-based solutions, rural communities are able to preserve existing child care businesses and add new child care slots.
Over an 18-month period, chosen communities will focus on opportunities and challenges they are facing with child care. First Children’s Finance helps facilitate the conversation and provides expertise, tools, and resources to support the creation and implementation of solutions to address child care shortages in rural communities.
This fall the Community Action Plan was finalized. Fergus Falls teams will work on the goals identified through the assessment process.
Participants
Fergus Falls' RCCIP core team consists of community leaders with backgrounds in early childhood education, faith leadership, healthcare, manufacturing, human resources, and government:
Klara Beck- Community Development Director, City of Fergus Falls
Melissa Amundson- ECFE/School Readiness Director, Fergus Falls Public Schools
Lauren Anderson- Parent Aware Quality Coach, CAPLP
Jean Bowman- Communications Director, City of Fergus Falls
Alyssa Campion- Executive Assistant to the President, Minnesota State Community and Technical
Marsha Erickson- Early Childhood Specialist, West Central Initiative
Katie Ganoe- Executive Director, Otter Cover Children’s Museum
Bridget Grenier- Director of Human Resources, Vector Windows
Karoline Gustafson- Wellness Coordinator, Lake Region Healthcare
Steve Guttormson- Marketing & Development Director, PioneerCare
Ali Haugerud- Senior Pastor, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church
Nancy Jost- Director of Early Childhood, West Central Initiative
Patricia Wahl- Administrative Assistant, Greater Fergus Falls
Sarah Schake- Project Manager, Otter Tail County
Amy Westerberg- Human Resources, Otter Tail Power Company
Melissa Amundson- ECFE/School Readiness Director, Fergus Falls Public Schools
Lauren Anderson- Parent Aware Quality Coach, CAPLP
Jean Bowman- Communications Director, City of Fergus Falls
Alyssa Campion- Executive Assistant to the President, Minnesota State Community and Technical
Marsha Erickson- Early Childhood Specialist, West Central Initiative
Katie Ganoe- Executive Director, Otter Cover Children’s Museum
Bridget Grenier- Director of Human Resources, Vector Windows
Karoline Gustafson- Wellness Coordinator, Lake Region Healthcare
Steve Guttormson- Marketing & Development Director, PioneerCare
Ali Haugerud- Senior Pastor, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church
Nancy Jost- Director of Early Childhood, West Central Initiative
Patricia Wahl- Administrative Assistant, Greater Fergus Falls
Sarah Schake- Project Manager, Otter Tail County
Amy Westerberg- Human Resources, Otter Tail Power Company
The core team has established three working groups to implement community goals related to child care: Workforce Development, Media (Outreach & Education), and Facilities & Partnerships. Workforce Development aims to support & grow the child care workforce in Fergus Falls. Media (Outreach & Education) aims to educate the community regarding child care needs, share resources, and celebrate providers. Facilities & Partnerships works to physically bring more child care slots into Fergus Falls through facility growth and strategic partnerships between key organizations. The core team meets monthly to review the progress of each working group and to collaborate on common goals.
If you are interested in joining any of the Fergus Falls RCCIP working groups, please contact the group leads below:
Media (Outreach & Education)- Jean Bowman
For any other program inquiries, please contact Klara Beck, Community Development Director for the City of Fergus Falls.