Macro+Project-+Program+Proposal

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Missouri State University, Springfield *

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SWK-643

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Sociology

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Macro project: Program Proposal Childcare Connect Clarice Fels, Jennifer Fortner, Jessi Hummer, Naomi Lewis, and Rachel Walker Department of Social Work, Missouri State University SWK 430: Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations Professor Jackson November 20, 2022

2 Program Name and Mission Statement Childcare Connect is a nonprofit organization and family resource center designed to help combat the ongoing issue of access to childcare that many families face in our country. The primary challenges contributing to this issue include a lack of resources to locate proper childcare and the challenges with maintaining financial obligations to the childcare provider. The mission of Childcare Connect is to connect families with the best childcare provider or agency that addresses their needs. Our goals as an organization are to assess the family's needs, conduct research, and connect families with their perfect match for childcare access. Statement of Need The problem lies in the limited resource of childcare provided on a macro level for families because of underlying factors that inhibit them from doing so. These factors, previously defined as cost, travel, stressors, availability, social placement, and other factors, disconnect this childcare resource (Li et al., 2022). Furthermore, this problem will now be discussed globally to disclose the logical progression that access to childcare is an existing societal problem. A recent empirical study conducted statewide showed the dramatic effects inadequate childcare access has had on access to healthcare needs (Alvarez, 2022). From a global perspective, healthcare is needed universally, and childcare access is a social deterrent due to the inflated cost of childcare and not finding a sitter within these families. Additionally, the study found that the groups that suffered more inadequate childcare were single Hispanic women with meager incomes. Additional research has also found barriers to childcare are the inevitable fact described in this statement, “Nearly 2 million parents had to leave work, change jobs or turn down a job offer because of childcare obligations in 2016” (Riley & Luscombe, 2019).

3 In addition, another area of research encompassed a more global level of childcare challenges while conducting fieldwork (Bastia et al., 2022). This kind of work involves special interviews and different placements for the researcher doing fieldwork at a given time, making childcare needs difficult. This research is significant to prove how childcare access is limited in many different countries and settings, regardless of current programs now trying to provide better access to childcare. The families conducting fieldwork would go to places like the United Kingdom and Africa and often had to bring their children with them because of inadequate childcare. In addition, this quote from the research defines the problem more, “A central issue is access to the field, as many families simply cannot afford to carry the extra costs of taking their children on fieldwork or covering the expenses of their partner being away from work” (Bastia et al., 2022, p. 4). Inflated costs are in every country, and recently the cost of gas has gone up everywhere, which further concretes the issue of the inability to afford childcare. The research has been presented statewide and globally on the most recent struggles of access to childcare, proving the problems and barriers childcare presents. Not only has this problem been proven, but it is also essential to integrate human behavior within the social environment to understand the best approach to educate our communities about this problem (Homan, 2016). The text mentioned how a problem within our community will not be able to be fixed unless the community is made aware of the problem. The problem could be made aware to the community by setting up local meetings discussing the problem, incorporating the KY3 news for an article of need, and even by posters with our organization. All these areas are relevant to our text on how to promote issues within the community. In addition, planning must be done with actions taken after that for any plan to work. One Action step toward community change would involve changing organizational

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4 policies which lack or inhibit childcare from moms. Another example of action within the community for change would be the productive fundraising of our organization through local and even governmental help. Both action steps are essential for change and how the community would likely receive the organization (Homan, 2016). It is essential to discuss how the community might receive this organization to understand better what the social environment will entail. This is where proving our problem exists is crucial because if the community does not relate or even think it is an issue, then the Child Connect Organization is more likely to fail. Not only proving the problem but showing the community action steps already taken, such as changing a policy, would increase community support and involvement within our organization. An important quote from our text also reflects how the community would likely respond to these explained changes, “It is the wealth of communities that we use to promote change and build community strength” (Homan, 2016, p. 3). To understand how the community might respond within this organization, it is crucial to understand what will be used for change, thus learning the community’s role, behaviors, and responsibilities of these changes. The last area of the problem to be discussed is the theoretical framework involved with Child Connect and additional research to understand community change projects happening now. The text describes the community theory framework as a list of ideas and examples to follow to embark on change, yet also discloses that each of these insights is not independent of one avenue because community change is such a broad spectrum (Homan, 2016, p. 52). The theoretical framework principles of power and action are essential to our organization’s macro changes. Power comes from our organization's ability to get the community on board. Thus, principles are essential to this scope to ensure that our change is good and ethical. In addition, action is a

5 theoretical component behind our organization because it is the stimulator to things we will change, such as policies, obtaining money, and changes we make as we learn new areas of need. As a response to the change happening now, the Census Bureau did a 2019 investigation of childcare cost evaluation and found annually households are spending $3,600 as an average annual cost (Shantz, 2019). These are relatively inflated costs for any family and are why families struggle to make it. It comes down to the need for macro-level change, and our organization, Child Connect, is making a difference so that these numbers may go down. The problem is real and proven, so change must happen for more childcare access. Project Narrative Goals Now that there is an understanding of the needs in childcare, here are the goals and objectives our organization Childcare Connect is pursuing. Our first goal is to aid families that need assistance affording childcare. The second is to assist current and developing childcare facilities in applying for grant funding for buildings to provide care, along with essential financial assistance. Our final goal is that families are paired with the perfect match for their childcare needs, allowing them to participate in life activities crucial to their well-being. Continuing, we will discuss objectives to help us reach these goals. Objectives With the goals we have chosen to pursue, we now want to get more specific and look at the objectives that must help us meet those goals. To help aid families in need of assistance affording childcare, we will interview families, assess their childcare needs, and calculate financial help to assist. To aid current and developing childcare facilities, we would need to assess the facility and help developing centers apply for grants to assist in purchasing buildings

6 for childcare. We then would work towards providing resources to care centers to meet the needs of childcare in that community. Finally, to match families with appropriate childcare providers, we will evaluate congruencies between family needs and care qualities to match the family with the best childcare provider. Activities and Interventions There are many activities and interventions to use in assistance to reach our organization's goals and objectives. One of the first activities that will need to happen is contact with the family or care center in need of assistance. Our organization accepts contact by phone, email, and by mail. This allows us to plan to meet by phone or at our office for screening and assessment unless a building assessment is needed for an already established facility. In this meeting, we will take note of the financial needs of the facility and family, the family schedule for when children will need care, and the funding that that family can apply for. Next, we would assign one of our workers to work with that family specifically in finding a care center or care provider, along with assisting them through the application process if they qualify for any assistance from the government. If they work with a childcare center, we will have a worker assigned to that facility. After the family has done the assessment and placed the children in a facility that meets the families, workers will follow up with them monthly to ensure that the care they receive is sufficient and meets their needs. When it comes to facilities, we will work with them through the process as well. If families do not qualify for assistance, we will work with Childcare connects funding that has been fundraised through the community and other government resources. Organization Facility Needs

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7 Our organization’s needs as far as a facility are not as massive because we do not house a childcare facility. Our needs include a few offices with a source of contact and a place for meetings, which could be completed in an individual’s residence. If desired, we can merge with existing organizations and maintain a small section of their buildings as our central location. Some buildings we looked at fit within the human resource center, OCAC, or the Children’s Division. The funds for this placement subcontract will be raised or provided through grant funding or fundraising through community partnerships. To start any program, funding is a prominent place to consider. Funding for these projects will be worked for by engaging community members and families to help fund the support of childcare needs in the community, along with the support of childcare facilities and workers. We will also incorporate and recruit the support of other local agencies that support our cause, like the facilities we listed in having subcontracts with. Overall, the resources are in the community to help with the problem. Our job is to mobilize these different resources and make childcare accessible. Timeframe To start a nonprofit organization, various steps must be completed to establish a legitimate organization that is accepted. Before the organization can begin, it must be registered as a nonprofit and have tax-exempt status. To file the 501(c)(3) form, articles of incorporation must be submitted to the state. Submitting these articles secures and confirms our chosen name, limits personal liability, and adds credibility to our organization. Before Childcare Connect can recruit donations in Missouri, registration with the Attorney General is required (Missouri Attorney General, n.d.). While waiting on the application status with the IRS and once we

8 register with the Attorney General, we can begin crowdfunding and marketing efforts to get the word out so once we are entirely approved, we will not have any time wasted. Applying for, completing, and being accepted for these required first steps have no designated period. The longest part involves compiling all the needed documents and forms and submitting them. Some documents, such as the articles of incorporation, could take time to comprise before submission. After all required documents have been filed to the appropriate place, it is up to the receiving agencies for the acceptance timeline. According to the IRS website, the average 501(c)(3) application takes between three and six months to be reviewed and accepted (IRS, n.d.). After all required documents have been submitted, filed, and approved, our organization can begin. At the latest, an ideal timeframe to be up and running while accounting for application processing time would be by August 2023. Leadership Due to Childcare Connect not being a large corporation with intense demands for function and daily tasks, minimal staff will need to be hired (Shine, 2016). Leadership for the organization will be a designated contact person that takes care of all incoming inquiries and matches clients with resources. Depending on demand, the task of this individual can be completed by one or two individuals. The only credentials that might be necessary experience in nonprofit work. The only other position that would need to be filled is someone that can manage the organization's expenses and status. As the organization grows and receives grants, a person needs to be designated to track finances and application statuses. Expected Outcomes The expected outcomes of this program are providing families with the care their children need while their parents’ work. Accommodating everyone's schedule and finding the

9 services the parents need through our organization will help with the cost and stress associated with not having that option available. When our organization has been up and running, the first six months of providing service, we will ask our clients to take a survey on their experience so far and how they are pleased or displeased with the quality care our organization gave them by connecting them to childcare that fit their busy lives. Another way to evaluate the organization's success is to ask the children if they are old enough to speak, how they are doing, and how they like their daycare/babysitter. Sustainability Startup Budget Creating any organization requires time and money. To create our startup budget, there are two categories to look at. The initial start-up budget includes the organization's foundation cost. Since Connect Children will be a nonprofit, most, if not all, of the expenses in this category will be allocated to filing and crediting the nonprofit. The filing and crediting costs included within this section include the filing fees with the IRS. The filing fees include nonprofit registration form 501(c)(3) and filing for tax-exempt status. In Missouri, the registration cost is $400, with the cost of incorporation being $25, and Missouri Charitable registration is $15 (Shine, 2016). The total registration and filing fee cost is around $440. After the status of Childcare Connect has been created and accepted, the second category of the startup budget focuses primarily on administrative startup fees. These fees include creating a domain name and a website and keeping enough staff. The section also includes the allocated funds for marketing and the housekeeping costs like establishing a central phone number and contact space. Childcare Connect is not an extensive incorporation that demands space. The organization's needs can be met through a personal residence as a central location, or we can

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10 establish a subcontract and relationship with other organizations and merge within their established locations as our source of contact and meeting place. Ideally, these mergers would not cost anything remotely due to the opportunity our presence and collaboration with the organizations offer to their client demographic. Establishing our domain name Childcare Connect will cost between $10 and $12 a year. The content management system [CMS], WordPress, will be utilized to create a website that tracks attention. After a 30-day free trial, the cost of this CMS is an initial investment of $200 and then $3.95 monthly for the basic package (Danica, n.d.). The total estimated administrative startup budget is $260. Combing both sections of our initial startup budget and the budget for administrative costs, the total startup budget is $13,060. According to Springly, the average cost to start a nonprofit organization is between $700 and $900. Using our total cost of both sections, the combined total budget is $700. The total allocated budget includes that number multiplied by ten percent to account for unexpected expenses. The total allocated startup budget is $9,680. Allocating five percent of the budget for discretionary funds that can be used towards marketing expenses, the total budget for this section of startup fees is $3.380. To utilize fundraising avenues like crowdfunding campaigns, allowing for two percent of the overall budget to be utilized for marketing costs and discretionary funds, the budget can be brought up to $9,800 (Shine, 2016). Grant Funding The Community Services Block Grant Program [CSBGP] is a group comprised of community action agencies that help coordinate, create, and deliver services and programs to low-income residents across Missouri. The community action agencies within this network

11 include over 1,000 private, local, non-profit, and public agencies that combined serve over nine million people a year (Missouri Department of Social Services [MDSS], n.d.). According to their financial report in section 7.2 (Community Services Block Grant [CSBG], 2020), they provide specifics for their total funds and plans for their allocated funds. Their total funds combining administrative, discretionary, and 90 percent funds equal $27,668,457. They currently provide grant money to nineteen agencies that are CSBG entities, totaling $24,901,611. The report states that after grant payments are made, they have a reminder of discretionary of $1,936,791. On their reported plans for remaining funds, they allocate $1,200,000 that is made available to help support activities, projects, or programs that are designed to eliminate a cause of poverty and help provide support to low-income families becoming self-sufficient (CSBG, 2020). After researching the grants that CSBGP provides, I believe it will meet the needs of Childcare Connect. Reasonings for this include our organization's mission, goals, and budget. Our mission to connect families with childcare providers or agencies that address their needs due to the lack of adequate childcare access, which affects those of lower-income status, aligns with CSBGP and its goal to deliver services and programs to low-income residents (CSBG, 2020). Childcare Connect could fall into the section of their use of remaining funds. Their remaining funds are to be made available to help support projects or programs that help provide support. This definition relates to our nonprofit and our goal to connect families without access to support them and their childcare needs (MDSS, n.d.). Conclusion To conclude our program proposal, we hope that “Childcare Connect” will offer families the opportunity to get access to childcare agencies and providers that will address their needs.

12 Beginning in our local communities, we want to expand our services to families nationwide. Overall hope that our organization will be the start of a change effort to increase the number of childcare facilities and make childcare accessible and inclusive to all families.

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13 References Alvarez, K. S., Bhavan, K., Mathew, S., Johnson, C., McCarthy, A., Garcia, B., Callies, M., Stovall, K., Harms, M., & Kho, K. A. (2022). Addressing childcare as a barrier to healthcare access through community partnerships in a large public health system . BMJ Open Quality, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjoq-2022-001964 Bastia, T., Hope, J., Jenkins, K., Lemanski, C., Meth, P., Moeller, N., & Williams, G. (2022). Navigating the challenges of fieldwork and childcare: Revisiting ‘muddy glee.’ Area. p. 1. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12834 Community Services Block Grant [CSBG] (2020, September 30). CSBG CARES act supplemental state plan. p. 12. https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/csbg/csbg-supplemental-funding- state-plan.pdf Danica (n.d.). How much does it cost to start a nonprofit organization? Springly https://www.springly.org/en-us/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-nonprofit- organization/ Homan, M. (2016). Promoting community change. (6th edition). Cengage Learning. Li, Y., Deng, X., Liao, S., Liang, X., Wang, H., Fang, H., Ai, Z., Chen, P., & Zhang, X. (2022). Accessibility of Urban Nonprofit Public Nursery Services Based on Big Data. Computational Intelligence & Neuroscience, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9775524 Missouri Attorney General (n.d.) Charitable organizations & professional fundraisers. AGO.mo https://www.ago.mo.gov/civil-division/consumer/business-registrations/charitable- organizations-professional-fundraisers Missouri Department of Social Services [MDSS]. (n.d.) Community Services Block Grant Program. https://dss.mo.gov/fsd/csbg/

14 Riley, K., & Luscombe, B. (2019). Why Affordable Childcare is Out of Reach for So Many People. Time. https://time.com/child-care-crisis/ Shantz, K., Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division (SEHSD), U.S. Census Bureau. (2019, April). Using Administrative Records to Evaluate Child Care Expense Reporting among Child Care Subsidy Recipients. In United States CENSUS Bureau Conference Poster Template. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/working-papers/2019/demo/sehsd- wp2019-11.pdf Shine, C. (2016, June 7). The cost of starting a nonprofit in every state. Nonprofit Hub. https://nonprofithub.org/the-cost-of-starting-a-nonprofit-in-every-state/

15 Secretary of State Search

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