What can you expect on September 12?

Whether you're a parent looking for care, a child care provider, an employer, a community partner, or simply someone who cares about strengthening child care in our community, there’s something here for you.

9:00–10:00 AM | Connect, Explore & Have Some Fun

Come hungry — and bring the family!

We'll kick off the morning with a FREE brunch and an opportunity to connect with the people and resources that make up our local child care community.

During this hour, you can:

• Meet local licensed child care providers and learn more about the care they offer.
• Visit our Resource Fair and connect with organizations that support children, families, and providers.
• Network with child care professionals, businesses, community leaders, and other families.
• Bring the kids! We'll have family activities, balloon animals, face painting, a selfie station, and more.
• Enjoy brunch while making connections in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Looking for child care? Thinking about starting the search? This hour is for you.

10:00–11:00 AM | Child Care Tax Credits: What Businesses Need to Know

Did you know there are state and federal tax credits designed to encourage businesses to invest in child care?

Child Care Aware of Kansas and Brent Lewis with Childcare Connect Works will break down what employers and community leaders need to know — without making it feel like a tax seminar!

You'll learn:

• What child care tax credits are currently available.
• How Kansas businesses may be able to benefit from investing in child care.
• What recent changes mean for employers and our community.
• Practical ways businesses can support their employees' child care needs.
• Why child care isn't just a family issue — it's a workforce and economic development issue.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and better understand what these incentives could look like for your business or organization.

11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Building the Child Care Ecosystem: Community & Business Panel

We're bringing different voices to the same table to have a real conversation about child care in our community.

Hear from local and regional experts representing child care, business, economic development, finance, and community leadership as we talk about:

• What employers can do to help address child care challenges.
• How businesses, providers, and community organizations can work together.
• The financial realities of child care for both families and providers.
• What resources and opportunities already exist.
• What's working — and where the gaps still are.
• What we can do right here in our community to continue building a stronger child care ecosystem.

Bring your questions! This hour is designed to be a conversation, with time for Q&A.

Because solving child care isn't the responsibility of one provider, one family, one business, or one organization. It takes all of us.