Center for Children and Families to expand early learning services

Mar. 12—The Walla Walla Center for Children and Families plans to expand its birth-to-age-2 services this year and remodel a classroom with a recent $216,052 grant.

The grant was awarded by the Washington State Department of Commerce to Akin, an organization that supports early learning providers in Washington.

Akin and Walla Walla Public School have a partnership agreement for the Childcare Capacity Building Project and will use the money to support services for students ages 0 to 2 at the center.

"The facilities grant award by the Department of Commerce highlights the effective partnership between two high-quality early learning service providers," said Brent Cummings, WWPS director of early learning. "Akin, formerly Children's Home Society of Washington, is a statewide leader in breaking down barriers to child care access in partnership with local organizations, schools and community leaders."

The grant will help remodel 1,328 square feet of classroom and office space at the learning center and will support the creation of 20 new Working Connection Child Care slots for children ages 0 to 2. Working Connections Child Care is a state program that helps families pay for child care.

"I am so happy to be partnering with Walla Walla Public Schools to build child care and early learning capacity in Walla Walla," said Akin Chief Early Learning Officer Meagan Anderson-Pira. "We are both honored to be awarded these funds."

The project is expected to be complete in December.

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