Community Loan Fund Launches State-Of-The-Art Childcare Accelerator Business Course
Albany, NY- In partnership with Brightside Up, Inc. a Capital Region based child care resource and referral agency (CCR&R); the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is launching an innovative 9-Week Child Care Accelerator Business Course seeking to bridge the gap between families in need and the on-going child care desert in the Capital Region. Child Care deserts are defined as areas that do not have enough licensed and registered child care facilities to serve the children in that community. Due to the large deficit of facilities and trained providers, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is offering “Child Care Desert Grants” to encourage more child care facilities to become licensed and registered. Similarly, Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a two-billion-dollar expansion of child care funding in New York to promote the creation and growth of new facilities for children and families. The Community Loan Fund remains committed to providing the necessary tools and knowledge for entrepreneurs to access these grant opportunities as this program moves forward.
“We are so excited to have the small business and start-up supports available to child care programs that will be included in the Child Care Accelerator series, “ said Abbe Kovacik MS, ED Executive Director of Brightside Up, Inc. “Brightside Up has always been able to support the programmatic side of child care and development. With the addition of the business expertise and support of the Community Loan Fund, we are confident that new providers will be on the path to success through this program”
“The Community Loan Fund is acutely aware of the challenges that families and childcare providers are withstanding across the Capital Region,” said Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund. “This 9-Week Child Care Accelerator Business Course will provide entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to start or expand their business in the child care industry and gain a better understanding of New York State child care regulations while receiving mentorship and guidance from existing child care providers. We are confident that our partnership with Brightside Up, Inc. will connect professionals in the child care industry with this state-of-the-art course.”
The 9-week Child Care Accelerator Business Course is an industry specific and immersive learning experience for individuals interested in starting or expanding a for profit or non-profit business in the Child Care industry.
Participants in this course will gain a deeper understanding of NYS Child Care regulations, learn about available resources and funding opportunities, and receive mentorship from existing Child Care professionals. Course curriculum will address business plan and operational development, regulatory and legal requirements for all types of child care businesses, financial tracking systems, financing opportunities, HR and labor considerations, real estate, and space requirements. Classes are being offered virtually on Zoom to increase accessibility for entrepreneurs in the Capital Region.
Beginning in July 2022, classes will occur Monday and Wednesday nights on ZOOM for a total of sixteen (16) 1.5-hour sessions. This course is ideal for anyone looking to start, expand or work with a for profit or non-profit business in the Child Care industry including Family Child Care, Small Center, and School-age child care programs. Existing providers and center directors welcome. The cost of this 9-week Child Care Accelerator Business Course is $300. Scholarships are available for income-qualifying individuals.
Please send inquiries to [email protected]