Childcare Development Program
The Huntsville Housing Authority (HHA) has created an initiative to spearhead the improvement of the number of childcare providers and the certified childcare professionals in the City of Huntsville. This project focuses on providing opportunities for HHA participants and residents to receive training and certifications in childcare. With these education opportunities, residents under the HHA umbrella and in surrounding areas will become certified childcare providers that will support existing providers or have to opportunity to create their own businesses to increase the number of providers in the area.
THE LIVES BEHIND THE PROGRAM
Cohort One Outcomes:
- Starting Participants: 15
- Ending Participants: 13
- HHA Residents: 10
- Graduated with Childcare Short Certificate: 8
- Received GED: 1 (Enrolled in Cohort Two Classes)
- Pursuing Associates: 1
- Pursuing a Bachelors: 1 (Enrolling in Alabama A&M)
- Participating in CNI Solutions: 7
- Cohort One Participants will be eligible to received:
- Child Care & Development Short Certificate from Drake State
- Laptop for classes
- Stipend
- Books for classes will be paid for by HHA
- Up to $200 in of business registration fees (LLC, etc.)
- Small Business Workshops (Catalyst Center) and Small
- Business Bootcamp (CNI Solutions)
Cohort Two Outcomes:
- Participants Enrolled: 14
Partnerships:
YMCA
The YMCA and HHA have combined two childcare visions into one collaborative project. The first cohort funded by HHA and the second by the YMCA. Both of which will focus primarily on HHA residents and participants.
Drake State
Drake State Community & Technical College will provide the certification aspect of the program. Drake State will offer a Child Care & Development Short Certificate to the participants. This education will serve at the basis of their formal education in Child Care & Development.
Entrepreneurship (CNI Solutions)
CNI will offer a small business bootcamp of 12 week long to refine and conceptualize business plans and ideas.
Entrepreneurship (Catalyst Center)
Catalyst Center offered small business workshops to jumpstart small business ideas and will assist with continued business training and assistance through the CNI/Catalyst Center MOU after graduation.
Chamber of Commerce
The chamber will assist in additional funding efforts and continuing to advance the needs for affordable early childhood education options in the community.
