A new program would cover up to 75 percent of child care costs for participants. Missouri Child Care Works, a child care cost-sharing program created by Kids Win Missouri, the state and the Missouri Children's Trust Fund, was launched Tuesday at a press conference attended by parents, child care providers, local leaders, educators and others. The...
When you insert a key into a keyhole, the key's teeth engage with the pins and levers of the lock. The specific shape of the key allows the pins to fall into an orientation that frees the cylinder to turn and unlocks the lock. Much like how that simple act can open a locked door, a new Missouri...
More than 550 child advocates gathered at the Missouri State Capitol last Wednesday for the 43rd Annual Child Advocacy Day, a significant event organized by Kids Win Missouri in collaboration with various statewide child advocacy organizations. This passionate assembly, consisting of parents, service providers, and community leaders, aimed to advance legislative policies that support children’s...
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Hundreds of parents and child advocacy groups made their voices heard at the Missouri state capitol Wednesday, as they called on legislators to continue to make child care a priority at the 43rd annual Child Advocacy Day. The event comes amid continued budget talks in the Missouri House of Representatives. On Tuesday...
JEFFERSON CITY , MO – Advocates for child care are working to restore critical funding for child care removed last week in a proposal before the House Budget Committee’s FY2026 Missouri budget. The funding, proposed by Governor Kehoe, would provide upfront, enrollment-based pay to providers to bring the subsidy payment structure more in line with...
Missouri is still struggling with widespread childcare deserts, especially for babies and toddlers, according to a new report from Child Care Aware Missouri. Access to childcare has been a long-standing issue in the state. Former Governor Mike Parson made expanding childcare access a key priority during his administration, and current Governor Mike Kehoe has pledged to continue that...
A 2025 report from the Missouri Champion of Children and Child Care Aware of Missouri says that 112 out of 115 counties in the state are infant and toddler "child care deserts." A child care desert is defined as an area where there over three times more children than available licensed child care slots — or no child...
St. Louis, MO – A new report reveals a dire infant and toddler care shortage in Missouri, with 112 out of 115 Missouri counties designated as "infant and toddler child care deserts." These deserts are defined as areas with three times more children than licensed child care slots for children under two years of age....
JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Kids Win Missouri, a leading child advocacy organization, applauds Governor Mike Kehoe's proposed child care initiatives announced during his inaugural State of the State address. The Governor's plan includes $10 million in child care innovation grants, a proposed regulatory overhaul, and a requirement that child care providers receive prompt payment for...
JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Kids Win Missouri applauds the strong commitment to children and families demonstrated by Missouri's new state leadership as the 2025 legislative session begins. Governor Mike Kehoe, House Speaker Jon Patterson, and Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O'Laughlin have all signaled that supporting Missouri families and expanding access to affordable childcare will...