Idaho Clinic Founds Child Care Center, Combating Health Worker Shortage
Across America, a critical shortage of health care workers continues to plague communities. In Idaho, the crisis is particularly acute, with overworked and understaffed hospitals and clinics struggling to meet the needs of a growing population. Kaniksu Community Health, a rural health provider in North Idaho, recognized that the lack of affordable, reliable child care was a major barrier for potential staff. The organization knew they needed a bold solution, one that prioritized the well-being of their employees and, ultimately, the health of their community.
The answer? Kaniksu Kids Club, an on-site child care center offering low-cost, high-quality care for the children of health care workers. Backed by a grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council, the center opened its doors nearly three years ago, beginning with 20 children and quickly expanding to accommodate 50 today.
"We made sure that our child care facility was more than just a place to keep children safe, but a place where children could thrive, learn, grow and receive high quality early childhood education while their parents worked hard to care for others," says the center’s director.
Another key factor in Kaniksu Kids Club’s success lies in its leadership’s commitment to providing this essential service, not for profit, but as a crucial employee benefit.
“Thankfully, our CEO is focused on providing this benefit, not profits, which completely changes the game. We’ve been able to provide affordable care, hire people who have a passion for children, and operate at a break-even level," the director explains.
The results have been remarkable. Kaniksu Community Health has witnessed a dramatic shift, with employee turnover rates plummeting from a staggering 38 percent to a much healthier 19 percent. The on-site child care center has become a powerful recruitment tool, attracting talented health care professionals to a region facing a severe workforce shortage.
Investing in Idaho’s future: The critical need for early learning support
"A grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council helped us get started nearly three years ago when we opened our doors to 20 children,” the director notes. “We began providing a safe, nurturing and educational environment for the children of our organization’s employees.”
While Kaniksu Community Health has found success in addressing the child care crisis within their own organization, identifying solutions at a statewide level remains an urgent challenge.
“Child care is just one reason health care workers are leaving the field. While we found a solution at Kaniksu, our health care system is facing a crisis statewide. It’s going to take leaders in child care, education, housing, health care, government and lawmakers coming together to tackle the shortcomings in our current system,” says the director.
“Creative solutions for just one of those challenges — like child care — could help solve multiple problems at once. The health and wellbeing of Idaho’s children, families and workers depend on it. Ultimately, the health of all Idahoans does too. Let’s come together to find these solutions, not just for today, but for the future of our communities.”
