MCPH announces Child Care 8000 initiative

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO/KJCT)– Child care options are lacking in Mesa County. That’s why our local health department hopes to change that with a new plan.

It’s called the Mesa County Child Care 8000 initiative.
The idea is to create 8000 slots for children in child care facilities around our area.

Mesa County Public Health says only 30% of 3rd-graders in the county meet or exceed proficiency in math and reading, and says earlier enrichment opportunities could help boost those numbers.

Their goal would double licensed child care slots by 2022, and It would also create an estimated 300 new jobs in the county.