Some Missouri parents will save up to 75% on childcare costs with new state initiative

charlie.keegan@kshb.com

Soon the state of Missouri will share the costs of childcare with some parents and their employees. Organizers said parents can save up to 75%.

The program is called Missouri Childcare Works. The state set aside $2.5 million for the program this year. Its asking employers to pay into the fund as well. Letters of interest are due October 1.

Eligible parents who work for participating employers will split the cost of childcare with the state and their employer.

Toni Sturdivant, from the Mid-America Regional Council, is coordinating the program in the Kansas City area.

This takes the burden of paying for childcare off the family alone and it becomes a shared community cost, explained Sturdivant. Were all impacted by what young children learn and do as they grow an