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Mid-State\u2019s Children\u2019s Learning Center (CLC) opened in 2007 as a small childcare center to support the recruitment of quality health care workers to the region. \u00a0At this time, enrollment is open to anyone in the community and currently serves 22 children.\u00a0 While Mid-State\u2019s mission is to ensure access to high-quality primary care regardless of ability to pay, the health and wellbeing of the community\u2019s children cannot be overlooked.\u00a0 A feasibility assessment conducted in 2020 identified that 75% of the region\u2019s infant and toddler childcare needs are currently unmet and a recent regional plan identifies access to childcare as a barrier to full-time employment in our rural region \u2013 a barrier that has grown exponentially during the pandemic.<\/p>\n
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Mid-State\u2019s Board of Directors has risen to meet this need of our community and take a step forward in creating a solution by recognizing that a new, and larger, facility is essential in order to meet the rising demand for childcare. Mid-State has purchased, and will begin renovating, an existing 8,400 square foot building located at 742 Tenney Mountain Highway as the new home for the Children\u2019s Learning Center. This expansion will enable the CLC to serve more families and increase capacity from 20 to 60+ children, with a particular focus to serve 51% low to moderate income families. I do not believe I am alone when I say we here at Mid-State, the community at large, including business owners, parents, and children alike, are eager for this project to get underway and be ready to accommodate our area\u2019s youth by fall 2021.<\/p>\n
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The new center will build on our approach to childcare through an innovative care experience in a safe and supportive environment that will benefit the children of our rural region. Plans have been secured to build an energy-efficient facility with indoor and outdoor playground areas and ample classroom space.\u00a0 The state-of-the-art facility will not only serve as a safe haven for our community\u2019s children, but as a learning environment. The facility is specially designed to support educational opportunities for children that promote personal health and environmental wellness, and the connection between the two.<\/p>\n
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We hope you will follow our progress as we anticipate completion later this year. Soon you will begin seeing plans, opportunities to participate in naming the new facility, marketing\/logo roll out, child care enrollment information, capital campaign details, fundraising opportunities, events and more.<\/p>\n
Mid-State looks forward to sharing our progress on the CLC expansion with our community in the months ahead.<\/p>\n
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Robert MacLeod<\/strong><\/p>\n Chief Executive Officer<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.5″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.5″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.7.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n