Regional Childcare & Workforce Initiative

The United Way of Central Virginia (UWCV) initiated a comprehensive Workforce and Childcare initiative in November of 2023 to address the critical challenges in workforce development and the lack of quality early childcare in the region. Recent reports, including the 2023 regional childcare gap analysis and the 2023 JLARC report, highlight significant unmet needs that hinder parents' employment and affect employers' workforce retention.

UWCV is adopting a successful blueprint established by United Way of Southwest Virginia in Abingdon, endorsed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. This initiative involves partnerships with schools, colleges, governments, and corporate partners to expand childcare options, focusing on workforce retention and attraction.

Key Components

  • Childcare Provision: Up to 300 infants and toddlers.

  • Early Childhood Care and Training Center: A state-of-the-art facility, including a training lab for future childcare employees in partnership with Central Virginia Community College (CVCC). An MOU is being established.

  • Corporate Childcare Spots: Reserved spots for corporate partners as part of an onboarding package to attract and retain workforce. BWXT is established as a partner, with other corporate partners in negotiations.

  • Collaborative Services Alliance: Support for existing childcare providers, including business training in partnership with SBDC (Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance).

  • Business Center for Childcare Providers

  • Training and Certification Protocols: For private, in-home early childcare, modeled after Arlington County's Childcare infrastructure program.

  • Pediatric Training Lab: In partnership with Centra Health, providing sick bay opportunities and training.

  • Regional Childcare Directory

The childcare slots will be allocated as follows:

  • 1/3 for low-income families/parenting students

  • 1/3 for employees of corporate investors

  • 1/3 open to the public

Objectives and Outcomes

  • Increase childcare capacity for infants and toddlers.

  • Develop a well-trained and equitably compensated early childhood workforce and expand certified quality in-home childcare.

  • Enhance and retain a skilled workforce by addressing the lack of quality early childcare.

Through this initiative, UWCV and its partners aims to create a lasting impact on the workforce and childcare landscape in Central Virginia.

Project Timeline

    • AmeriCorps/Serve Virginia grant awarded, training in July and August.

    • Presentations to legislative representatives and prospective corporate/private partners is on-going.

    • Complete project framework.

    • Deepen alliances and secure a suitable building.

    • Secure corporate partnerships with reserved childcare spots.

    • Secure additional funding.

    • Secure facility and initiate architectural planning.

    • Develop curricula and comprehensive budget.

    • Continue building public-private partnerships and funding.

    • Continue grant research and submissions.

    • Complete all MOUs.

    • Break ground with the goal to open in late 2025 or early 2026.

    • Accept placements.

    • Train staff.

    • Launch operation.

Established Alliances

  • AmeriCorps / Serve Virginia (under DSS)

  • Bright Beginnings, the Childcare management division of United Way of Central VA

  • BWX Technologies (corporate partner)

  • Centra Health

  • Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)

  • Central Virginia Planning District Commission (CVPDC)

  • City of Lynchburg, Department of Economic Development and Tourism

  • Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance (LRBA) and SBDC

  • Virginia Career Works (VCW)

Picture 012.jpg
Summer Learning Kits 2023-2.jpg
Reid Wodicka.jpg
unsplash-image-1w20Cysy1cg.jpg