Unlike many communities across Nebraska, Kearney is not facing a pure child care capacity shortage. In the past year alone, local initiatives have supported the launch of at least eight new child care providers and the creation of 86 additional licensed openings. In fact, many providers are now reporting openings and shrinking waitlists—something not seen in years.
However, these vacant seats coupled with increasing expenses such as minimum wage increases, mandatory sick leave, insurance costs, and property taxes, are leading to increased financial stresses on child care provider business owners—some who say they worry regularly about their ability to stay open.
Finding and securing any of these open seats also remains a challenge for families due to a broken system of care navigation. Most parents today are referred to outdated lists, Facebook group postings and uncertain waitlists when looking for care, making the process time-consuming and frustrating.
To address these challenges, a partnership has been formed with Upwards, a child care and workforce support platform used by employers like the U.S. Army National Guard, the Baltimore Police Department, and Chobani. Upwards assigns each family a dedicated Care Navigator who handles the research and outreach, matches them with the right providers, and guides them through enrollment, saving families hours of work.
Kearney Regional Medical Center (KRMC) will be the first organization in Kearney to implement this solution through a one-year pilot program for its employees. While families will continue to select and pay for their own child care, the platform will remove barriers and simplify the process of finding and securing care—helping employees remain in the workforce while feeling supported by their employer.
“Until now employers have had limited opportunities in helping their workforce secure reliable care. By partnering with Upwards, we’re giving employers a way to be part of the solution for their working parents. We believe that child care navigation is a smart investment for businesses as part of their employee retention and attraction strategies,” said Amanda Polacek, a director with the Development Council for Buffalo County.
Nationally, employees who opt-in to Upwards programs are 5x less likely to leave their organization when participating in Upwards programs.
Usage data from the system will help employers and the community respond more proactively to scheduling needs, capacity gaps, and market changes that impact the ability for individuals to retain employment. It will also track successful and unsuccessful matches, providing critical insights into barriers such as cost, provider responsiveness, scheduling needs, and more.
“This information will help inform future strategies such as expanding scholarship opportunities, addressing nontraditional hour needs, strengthening provider capacity, and supporting workforce participation. Rather than relying on assumptions, communities can use real-time data to make more informed decisions about child care investments and solutions," said Tana Miller, a coordinator with Buffalo County Community Partners.
The pilot program has also received local support from several key partners, including:
- Communities for Kids (C4K) initiative with Early Futures Partnership – a multi-year effort to strengthen early childhood infrastructure and address child care challenges
- Arthur Klinkacek Community Enrichment Grant through the Kearney Area Community Foundation – supporting innovative programs and emerging community needs
- Development Council for Buffalo County and the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce – recognizing child care as a critical workforce and economic development issue
Polacek says the pilot with KRMC will begin October 1st and that other employers are invited to be part of subsequent launches. “Ultimately we want to create a coordinated space that benefits families, child care provider businesses and Kearney employers all at once,” says Polacek.
Questions about the program can be directed to Amanda Polacek.
