child life
At-A-Glance | 2005-2024
Early care and education are a community priority in Greene County, recognized as essential for school readiness, workforce development, and long-term community well-being. Over two decades, the region has invested in innovative collaborative initiatives that raise awareness of the importance of early childhood.
However, the community's long-standing challenges remain. Child abuse and neglect, affordable quality child care, and unstable funding continue to threaten outcomes for young children. Community-driven solutions, philanthropic support, and statewide policy shifts have improved awareness, expanded preschool options, and increased attention to trauma-informed care, but disparities in access persist.
Looking ahead, the community emphasizes the need for sustainable funding streams and expanded partnerships to ensure every child has access to safe, nurturing environments that prepare them for lifelong success.
DEVELOPMENT OF FACILITIES
The Springfield community has identified and supported the needs of children and families through the development of facilities.
Providing a safe, comfortable environment for families to receive help means that those most in need get high quality care.
EARLY SUPPORT & INTERVENTIONS
FOR FAMILIES
Early support and interventions for families (prenatally through the first five years of childhood) have positively affected families by reducing child abuse and neglect, improving birth and health outcomes for mothers and babies, and increasing kindergarten readiness.
The support families need through in-home services has continued to be a high priority in our community and at a state level.
COMMUNITY
AWARENESS
Community awareness of issues with early support and intervention has also grown.
News coverage and panel discussions have been instrumental in reinforcing the idea that child care access is a workforce issue. Without partnerships that stretch across our region's sectors, access to quality and affordable child care will continue to hamper labor force hiring and retention.
access to
child care
Access to child care remains a Red Flag in the community. Parents have to choose child care based on availability when the focus should be on quality and which program best fits their family’s needs.
Without an adequate supply of available spots for infants, toddlers, and children, parents are forced to make tough choices about balancing work, community contribution, and quality child care.
access to
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR FAMILIES
Access to mental health services for families has been identified as a Red Flag. The struggle of affordability and access to mental health services for adults and children remains a barrier to treatment.
In order to promote healthy outcomes for children, we must ensure that their families have the behavioral health support they need to thrive.
RACIAL & ECONOMIC
DISPARITIES
Racial and economic disparities continue to impact our community. The economic gap creates barriers for children who live in lower-income households.
Access to affordable, high-quality child care affects parents’ abilities to work, creating stress barriers for families and resulting in children not being kindergarten-ready.
Childhood poverty is associated with not completing high school, unemployment or underemployment as adults, and numerous lifelong health concerns.
Families need economic support now to ensure that children grow into healthy and productive members of the community.