Exploring Childcare Needs in JDC

In March 2026, a group of stakeholders, including childcare providers, schools, resource agencies, and representatives from the County, gathered to share ideas about childcare access & availability in Jo Daviess County.

1. Identified Gaps & Opportunities

Stakeholders highlighted several critical areas where current childcare services are failing to meet the community's needs:

• Age-Specific Care: There is a specific shortage of care for the 0–3 age group and school-age children (primarily after-school and summer).

• Non-Traditional Hours: Existing services do not adequately support parents working weekend or night shifts.

• Geographic Gaps: A need was identified for services specifically located between Elizabeth and Warren.

• Infrastructure: There is a lack of reliable transportation and a general need for more funding/money to sustain operations.

  
  

2. Proposed Solution Ideas

The summit participants brainstormed several actionable strategies to address these gaps:

A. Information & Awareness

• In-Home Provider Support: Host in-person meetings with potential providers to help them start in-home care businesses.

• Support Centers: Help centers meet more of the need by fostering employer relationships and connecting them with better data to inform planning for potential new services or locations.

B. Collaboration & Partnerships

• Institutional Alignment: Increase collaboration between different service types and deepen engagement from Childcare Resource & Referral (CCRR), DCFS, and Early Childhood Illinois.

• Transit Partnerships: Partner with schools and the county to solve transportation barriers.

• Workforce Pipeline: Partner with high schools and colleges to create a "Fast Track" for Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials.

C. Funding & Advocacy

• Employer Engagement: Bring local employers (such as MMC, JCE, JDC, Signcraft, and East Dbq Nitrogen) into the conversation to discuss community benefits and potential funding.

• Legislative Outreach: Invite elected officials to meetings to see the "Local Problem Snapshot" and advocate for resources.

• Faith-Based Assets: Explore the use of churches as potential sites or partners for childcare.

  
  

3. Next Steps

To move from ideas to action, the stakeholders emphasized:

• Continue additional convenings: Keeping the momentum of the summit alive. The CFJC will host another session this Fall.

• Formal Planning: The CFJC will support planning for increased access to childcare with a focus on ages 0-3, and a geographical focus on the Eastern half of Jo Daviess County.