Building a Brighter Future: Sherman County Child Care Coalition Expands Opportunities for Families and Providers

GOODLAND, Kan. — With new families moving in, growing job opportunities, and more parents in the workforce, the need for reliable, quality child care in Sherman County has never been greater. That’s where the Sherman County Child Care Coalition (S4C) comes in — a passionate local effort dedicated to supporting families, expanding licensed care options, and strengthening the future workforce of Northwest Kansas.

During a recent interview on NWKS Radio’s Good Neighbor Hour, Jessica Kannady and Tara Neitzel-Simmonds shared updates on the coalition’s mission and progress — and the excitement is building.

🌿 From Conversations to Construction

“What started as a few conversations has grown into a community movement,” said Kannady, who serves on the coalition while also working at Goodland Regional Medical Center in marketing and coordination. “We realized families were struggling to find child care — and if both parents can’t work, that’s a big problem for our community.”

The coalition officially formed in March 2024 and quickly began working on solutions. Thanks to strong collaboration from local partners, the group has already built a new child care home north of West Elementary School in Goodland.

“The structure is up, the concrete work is done, and we even have the fencing, shed, and inside materials,” Kannady explained. “We just need that last little piece — the finishing touches inside — so we can open our doors and hire staff.”

The building, painted a bright green to match the coalition’s cheerful spirit, will operate as a licensed family child care home, serving up to 12 children with two providers.

📚 Connecting Education and Child Care

Neitzel-Simmonds, who teaches the Child Care Specialist Program at Fort Hays State University Northwest in Goodland, plays a key role in preparing the next generation of child care professionals.

“I started with six students last year and now have eleven,” she said. “We’re also planning to open a child care facility on campus in January 2026, which will give our students hands-on experience while helping meet the need for more local options.”

Her students already complete 480 hours of supervised, hands-on education, often working at the Head Start facility on Main Street. Many are pursuing their CDA (Child Development Associate) credentials or associate degrees while balancing full-time jobs and family life.

“These students can also serve as substitutes,” Neitzel-Simmonds explained. “That gives our licensed providers some much-needed flexibility to take time off, run errands, or attend appointments without closing their doors.”

💕 Supporting Providers and Families

S4C’s work goes beyond building facilities. The coalition actively supports existing providers with continuing education, first aid/CPR classes, and community appreciation events like their annual “Trace de Mayo” celebration held this spring.

“Providers in our area are the backbone of our workforce,” Neitzel-Simmonds said. “When parents can find trusted child care, they can stay in their jobs, and that helps our whole community thrive.”

The coalition currently counts about a dozen licensed home providers in Sherman County — a strong number, but not nearly enough to meet demand. By developing new facilities and training more caregivers, S4C hopes to ease the strain on parents and grandparents who often step in to help.

🌻 Looking Ahead

“We’re close — really close,” Kannady said of the coalition’s first facility. “Once the final funding and finishing touches are in place, we’ll be able to open and start making a difference for families right here in Goodland.”

The Sherman County Child Care Coalition — or S4C — continues to embody what makes small-town Kansas special: neighbors coming together to solve problems, care for one another, and build a stronger future.

🍼 Learn More

To donate, volunteer, or follow updates, visit S4C.kids or follow Sherman County Child Care Coalition on Facebook.