In Boardman, Childcare Is Necessary Infrastructure for a Healthy Regional Economy

In Boardman, Oregon, a remarkable story of community resilience and innovation is unfolding. Families First Childcare, born from the pressing needs of working families following the pandemic, has rapidly grown into a vital resource for working parents, demonstrating how businesses and communities can come together to solve critical challenges.

The center's story began in September 2020, when Boardman Foods, Inc. , a local food processing company, expanded its existing after-school program in response to the pandemic's impact on working families. Boardman Foods Chief Operating Officer Debbie Radie played a central role in establishing the original childcare program and spearheaded the expansion effort to serve families throughout the community.

"We come at this from the perspective of investing in the community where we've built a business from the ground up, the community we call home," Radie explained. "Without access to affordable childcare, there's a concern that families will choose to relocate to other communities."

What started in a single borrowed schoolroom has now expanded to five classrooms serving over 80 children across four age groups: infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children. This growth has been made possible through a unique collaboration between local businesses, government entities, and educational institutions.?

Families First Childcare goes beyond basic daycare services, focusing on early education and development. The center has partnered with Blue Mountain Community College to provide training opportunities for new teachers, ensuring high-quality care and education for the children.

Boardman Foods supports the center with funding as well as administrative services including HR and payroll. In total, Families First receives about $375,000 in contributions from like-minded area businesses, helping to keep rates affordable for working families.

When Breena Beck had two children under two at Families First, she saw the positive impact of private sector support for childcare. “My employer at the time and my husband’s employer are both financial supporters of Families First,” Beck said. “These businesses have come together and recognized that their employees and their neighbors need dependable childcare. It really takes a community.”

The Port of Morrow has played a crucial role, providing the building where Families First Childcare operates. Known as the Neal Early Learning Center, this facility was built in 2017 and expanded in 2020 with state funding. Its strategic location near major employers makes it an ideal childcare solution for working parents.

Brenda Profitt, Director of Families First Childcare, highlighted the center's impact: "We've had parents who had to wait to have their child join a classroom so the second parent can be employed. So many families really need those two incomes to get by. They really are desperate for these seats."

For parents like Leslie Pierson, reliable childcare with extended hours makes all the difference.

“When I moved to Boardman, finding childcare for my two preschool-aged children was a real struggle,” said Pierson. "Like many parents, I felt stranded without consistent options available. Families First Childcare made a huge difference in our lives. Finally, my family had a childcare option with steady hours I could rely on. When days ran long at work, I knew my girls were taken care of. When they got to elementary school, the partnership with the school district and bus program provided peace of mind knowing they’d get to care without me leaving work early to transport them.”

The demand for quality childcare in Boardman is high, with enough families on the waiting list to fill three more infant classrooms. Families First Childcare fills a crucial gap in the region's childcare network, providing affordable care for working families who may not qualify for other programs like Head Start.

Despite its success, Families First Childcare faces ongoing challenges, including the high cost of health care for employees and regulatory hurdles in staffing. However, the center's leadership remains committed to finding innovative solutions to ensure continued high-quality, affordable childcare.

Just like docks, roads and bridges, childcare centers are essential infrastructure for a healthy regional economy. Radie noted, "We can't get the best teachers, firefighters, police, or city managers if we don't have childcare for them. People are going to be better employees and better coworkers when they know their children are cared for in an environment where they are getting quality educational and social experiences."

As the childcare crisis continues to affect communities across the nation, the story of Families First Childcare offers hope and a potential blueprint for other communities facing similar challenges. By bringing together businesses, local government, and educational institutions, Boardman has established a childcare program that not only supports working families but also enhances the overall economic competitiveness of the region.

The Oregon Health and Education Collaborative Upstream Initiative is bringing together health, education, and social service partners across Oregon to identify and cultivate community-specific solutions to meet the needs of families with young children.??

Sign up to receive updates about partnerships, best practices and advocacy opportunities to give every child in Oregon a strong start: oregoncollaborative.org/be-involved?