Our Story

The Sherman County Child Care Coalition (S4C), incorporated in March 2024, is dedicated to addressing the pressing need for affordable, accessible, and high-quality child care in Sherman County. Recognizing that a lack of reliable child care options presents significant challenges for working parents, S4C’s mission is to ensure that children are not only cared for but are also supported in their development, so they can grow into happy, healthy, and successful learners. This, in turn, helps build a stronger foundation for the entire community, as well-rounded children contribute to the economic and social vitality of Sherman County. In the short term, the coalition’s goal is to increase the availability of quality child care services. This will be achieved by securing funding to establish new family child care homes. These homes, which will be licensed and operated by local caregivers, will provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, helping to alleviate the strain on existing child care facilities that are often overbooked and understaffed. By supporting the expansion of these family child care homes, S4C aims to meet the growing demand for care while ensuring that each child receives personalized attention and high-quality early childhood education.

Looking toward the future, the coalition has set its sights on establishing four new family child care homes in the city of Goodland. This strategic expansion will not only increase the number of available child care slots but will also enhance the quality of services by training and supporting local providers. By fostering a network of well-prepared, licensed child care providers, S4C envisions a thriving child care ecosystem in Sherman County that can support families for years to come.

S4C has selected “Coalition Structure, Management, and Sustainability” as its primary focus. The goal is to build a strong organizational foundation that can effectively manage the coalition’s initiatives and ensure its long-term success. S4C plans to take several key actions to advance its objectives. Building relationships with local businesses, government agencies, and community organizations will be critical for the coalition’s success, and these resources will ensure that S4C is able to connect with the people and groups needed to make a lasting impact.

By focusing on building a strong infrastructure, S4C will be well-positioned to continue its mission of improving access to child care and supporting the success of children in the region for years to come. Through these strategic steps, the Sherman County Child Care Coalition will not only enhance the availability of child care slots but will also help create a sustainable network of services that benefits children, families, and the broader community.

Board of Directors

David Blochlinger - Vice President
Janice Shaner - Treasuer/Secretary

Tara Neitzel-Simmonds
Lexie Peden
Lana Davis