By Melissa Gemmell

Dayton Chronicle Reporter

DAYTON-A community forum was held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Pavilion on May 23 to discuss childcare here.

A panel was assembled to provide specific information while former State Representative Terry Nealey facilitated the discussion. Local representatives offered their insight into the lack of childcare in the community, proposed solutions, and updates on progress for establishing childcare. The panel included Columbia County Health System (CCHS) CEO Shane McGuire and Social Worker Paul Ihle, County Prosecutor Dale Slack, Sheriff Joe Helm, Walla Walla YWCA Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell Schwerin and Childcare Director Tabitha Haney, Dayton Elementary School staff, Principal Amy Cox and Hannalee Farrell, and Anne Walsh who serves on the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

In 2020 and 2021, the only three licensed daycares in Dayton closed, and no one has stepped up since to provide the needed services.

In response, CCHS partnered with the Walla Walla Valley Early Learning Coalition and the City of Walla Walla in 2021 to apply for grant funding through the Department of Commerce Child Care Partnership to collect data through an area survey conducted by Aeroleaf Consulting.

The study confirmed a childcare crisis. Parents reported that the lack of care has limited the hours they can work and their job choices which has led some to quit work or their career training. This led to establishing the Touchet Valley Childcare Project.

Bill Warren, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Walla Walla Community College, affirmed the impact on students and spoke up with interest in supporting the project. He said the college serves the surrounding areas including Dayton and that student success is affected by the lack of childcare with some putting their education and training on hold.

Nealey posed the question to the panelists about why they are involved in the project. McGuire answered that the lack of childcare has limited their ability to find and retain high quality staff. He also said that investing in quality childcare can provide an opportunity to “get ahead of the social determinants of health.”

Cox echoed the effects of the lack of childcare on the school staff and families.

Sheriff Helm said having affordable quality childcare in the community can provide a safe and stable place for kids who have working parents.

Slack added that he sees the need in the community specifically for the children of his own staff.

Walla Walla YWCA Directors Zell Schwerin and Dayton resident Haney have agreed to operate the Dayton center. Anne Walsh said she has a long history in working for economic development.

Ihle worked for years in education before his work as a social worker for the hospital district. He also represents CCHS as the fiscal agent for the project. He announced the project has been awarded a total of over $650,000 in grant money.

When asked about a timeline of when the community could expect the childcare center to open, McGuire answered it hinges on when a location is secured.

So far, the committee has approached the Port of Columbia about using land by the Blue Mountain Station, which was voted down. They have looked at the historical First Christian Church on Third Street adjacent to the school, but it needs too many costly repairs.

Also considered was the former migrant workers’ camp but the grant funding required them to replace the current buildings. City and private property are being looked at currently with one location showing promise.

A question as to whether any assistance could be given to individuals seeking to establish private daycares. Haney answered that she would be willing to work with those who are interested and is supportive of establishing private daycares because some children are better suited for that setting.

Ihle said that the funding acquired could only be used for a center rather than a private daycare. Individuals seeking to open their own business would have to pursue their own grant funding.

McGuire said they approached the YWCA as an operator to offer high quality childcare at the center. He acknowledged that operating a care center rather than a private daycare has more regulations, similar to healthcare which adds expense. Haney clarified that the regulations are for things such as child to adult ratios and safety standards rather than for curriculum which is chosen by local directors and their boards.

The proposed center would offer multiple rooms for various preschool ages and would require a minimum of six staff.