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*For Immediate Release:    *     
January 23, 2025
          
*Contact:    *     
Grace Hoge
[email protected]

*Governor Kelly Announces Child Care Center Pilot **in Partnership with *

*Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas*

 

*TOPEKA* – Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that the State of Kansas is partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) to open a licensed child care center in Topeka. The center will serve both State of Kansas and BCBSKS employees.

“I’m pleased to announce this public-private partnership and to be able to offer increased child care options for our employees,” *Governor Laura Kelly said*. “I believe public-private partnerships are key to solving child care shortages. I urge other employers across the state to develop innovative solutions and utilize various state programs to provide greater access to care for their employees.”

The child care center will be in a renovated building on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas campus. Work on the facility will begin in the spring of 2025 and is anticipated to open in late 2026. A groundbreaking event is being planned for later this spring.

The agreement calls for the State to provide $2.5 million in one-time funding to the project, which will be used to help refurbish the existing building. The 2023 Kansas Legislature approved this funding for the development of a pilot program to increase child care access to state employees. BCBSKS will cover any remaining renovation costs. The child care center is planning to operate as a 501(c)(3) and will be overseen by a Board of Directors representing the State of Kansas and BCBSKS.

Once open, State of Kansas and BCBSKS employees will pay the individual enrollment costs. More information about how employees can access these child care slots will be provided at a future date. 

This public-private partnership aims to address the shortage of quality child care slots in Shawnee County and meet the needs of both BCBSKS and State Employees.

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