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Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) has successfully secured a $15,000 grant to launch a groundbreaking health initiative aimed at improving the well-being of 51 rural child care educators across five counties in Missouri.
This new program provides free telehealth and mental health services, along with memberships to Show Me Child Care Resources, at no cost to the participants.
Counties and Services Covered
Educators in Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Warren, and Washington counties will benefit from:
- Unlimited telehealth visits with zero copay
- 10 free mental health therapy sessions annually
- Access to over 2,000 professional resources through the Show Me Child Care Resources platform
This initiative addresses a pressing need in these rural areas, where 12% to 18% of professionals are uninsured, and poverty rates range between 8.6% and 19.7%, according to data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the American Community Survey.
Ongoing Support for Missouri’s Early Childhood Workforce
Since 2010, CCAMO has been the exclusive statewide license holder for Show Me Child Care Resources—a comprehensive online portal designed to support child care professionals. In addition to health benefits, the organization provides consulting, technical assistance, and training in areas like:
- Business operations and leadership
- Budget and expense management
- Revenue recognition and financial planning
These services are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability and growth of Missouri’s child care businesses.
Leadership Emphasizes Educator Wellness
Robin Phillips, CEO of CCAMO, stressed the importance of this initiative:
“Child care professionals rarely receive benefits, but their health and stability are vital for our communities. With 24/7 telehealth access and peace of mind, this program ensures educators can stay healthy and present in the classroom,” she said.
Phillips also noted that the organization plans to seek recurring funding each year to sustain and expand this program to more educators across the state.
CCAMO’s Broader Mission
Established in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to enhancing early childhood education in Missouri. Their work spans across several areas including:
- Workforce development
- Business support services for child care providers
- Policy advocacy
- Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign helping businesses address recruitment and retention issues due to limited child care availability
With its new health care access initiative, Child Care Aware of Missouri is making significant strides to support rural child care educators.
By delivering free telehealth services, mental health care, and educational tools, this program not only supports the personal well-being of these professionals but also strengthens the early childhood education system across the state.