County explores childcare staffing, training and regional grant opportunities tied to broadband and workforce initiatives
Summary
Staff described efforts to support childcare capacity through facility conversions, training programs, and potential regional grants aimed at workforce development; broadband was discussed as a complementary factor for training and service delivery.
County staff described local efforts to expand childcare capacity and workforce training tied to regional grant opportunities and broadband planning. Staff said one school district undertook significant renovations (two to three hundred thousand dollars cited) to convert classroom space for daycare use and to meet regulatory requirements for different age groups. The presenter described a rotating‑staff training model observed in Poughkeepsie where the center operates as a training site for student teachers to increase staffing capacity. Staff also described outreach to nonprofit daycare operators and a planned call among local leaders to explore hiring a dedicated childcare coordinator (a two‑year position) to lead regional efforts on facility conversion, training, grants and broadband access for providers. The presentation linked workforce training and digital access — staff said broadband and digital equity grants are relevant to training and outreach capacity. The discussion was informational; no formal board action or funding decisions were made at the meeting.
