TGHA and First Steps join up to create childcare program

GHA and First Steps join up to create childcare program

GREENVILLE, SC – A pilot program has been created to develop a training and support program to establish and sustain 10 homebased childcare providers with a priority given to communities that lack access to affordable, reliable and high-quality care.

This project is a collaboration between The Greenville Housing Authority (TGHA), Greenville First Steps, SC Childcare Resource and Referral (CCRR), the Palmetto Shared Services Alliance (PSSA) and other community partners.

It is being segmented into four unique phases. Recruitment and Screening of Candidates Orientation and Training Licensure and Enrollment Launch of Services and ABC enrollment “This program is about working together to find answers to some of the key challenges facing our community,” said Derek Lewis, Executive Director of Greenville First Steps. “Childcare is a major barrier to people in the workforce. This is part of the solution.”

During the first phase TGHA will work to promote a pilot project, and to identify a cohort of ten individuals who are interested in becoming licensed in-home childcare providers. Candidates would be those who are able, after training and onsite support, to obtain a license from DSS to offer home based childcare in their place of residence.

More than 45 people applied for the initial cohort, and 10 were selected.“TGHA is excited to have the first 10 participants screened and ready to begin this training,” said Jenneh Jones, Director of MTW FSS-Economic Mobility for the TGHA. “We hope it sparks greater interest in in-home childcare among both our participants and the broader community.” The second phase includes 10 weeks of orientation and training and will be offered free of charge to participants.

Phase three focuses on getting homes ready to be used for childcare centers as well as making sure state licensing is completed. Greenville First Steps will provide up to $4,000 in materials and supplies to upfit home for childcare services. The final phase will be the launch of services. Greenville First Steps will work with providers to design print and online resources to help recruit potential clients. “Childcare is one of our community’s biggest barriers to gainful employment. What better way to overcome this barrier than to provide an opportunity for entrepreneurship and childcare, at the same time?” Jones said.

About TGHA: The Greenville Housing Authority administers federal funds and provides vouchers for 3,000 households which serve nearly 9,000 members including the elderly, disabled, veterans and children disabled households. TGHA issues payments of $30 million to private property owners annually. It plans, undertakes, finances, constructs and operates affordable housing projects and programs in the city of Greenville and Greenville County. Learn more at tgha.net.