News

CMH Contact: Sarah Bello
Phone: 503-338-4504
Email: sbello@columbiamemorial.org

Providence Contact: Mike Antrim
Phone: 503-537-8248
Email: michael.antrim@providence.org

Childcare a critical issue in Clatsop County

ASTORIA, Ore. — In recognition of the significant challenges posed to those needing childcare in Clatsop County, Columbia Memorial Hospital and Providence Seaside Hospital have partnered to find and sustain solutions for families.

Childcare availability is essential to maintaining a strong health care workforce in Clatsop County. Together, both hospitals serve approximately 60,000 area patients with more than 1,000 employees. Without support for working parents, some families have been forced to choose between working or caring for their children full-time.

“The closures of childcare centers in our community have caused great concern for CMH and for our caregivers,” says Nicole Williams, CMH chief operations officer. “Having access to childcare is necessary to support a growing workforce and community. CMH will continue to be engaged and involved in finding a resolution to this issue.”

The county has experienced a loss of over 1,000 childcare slots in the last several years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue escalated when several more providers closed their doors. In 2021, the county established the Clatsop Childcare Advisory Group, with representatives from CMH and Providence Seaside on the committee.

“Having access to affordable childcare is essential for our caregivers,” says Rebecca Coplin, chief executive at Providence Seaside. “We have heard from our caregivers and the community how the lack of childcare critically affects their daily lives. We are committed to working with this group of partners to do all we can to continue to find solutions for childcare in our area.”

The group found a need for a program providing stable support for current providers and incentives for new providers. It proposed the Retention & Expansion Child Care Grant program, which was approved at the June 22 committee meeting. The program will begin with $500,000 in Clatsop County funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Along with the Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (Col-Pac), the County, CMH and Providence Seaside are working together to find major grants that will be awarded and monitored. Licensed childcare providers in the county can apply for small- or large-scale grants, and the Clatsop Small Business Development Center will provide business and economic support to them, as well.

The grant review committee will include Providence’s Alana Kujala, community partnerships liaison, and from CMH, both Williams and Mark Kujala, chair of the Clatsop County Commission and director of the CMH Foundation.

Demonstrating their commitment to addressing childcare shortages, Providence Seaside recently pledged $100,000 through its Community Health Division to help with the grant program start-up and will consider additional funding in 2023. CMH has committed more than $50,000 in funds so far, helping support Astoria’s Lil’ Sprouts and the new Bumble Art Studio daycare during the pandemic, as well as offering a childcare stipend for qualifying employees. CMH has also pledged ongoing funding for the grant program, including a $20,000 donation finalized this week.

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