The United Way of Door County hopes you can help fill a significant need in the community first by attending an informational session it is hosting next week.

The session slated for January 30th at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay will empower those considering offering child care in their own home. Even with the expansions of the DoCo Child Development Center and Northern Door Children’s Center and the future opening of the Children First Development Center, the demand for childcare in Door County still exceeds the available spots for families. United Way of Door County Childcare Coordinator Molly Gary says help is there for those who seek it.

Grants for in-home childcare providers are just one of the ways the United Way of Door County is trying to address the issue locally. The Door County Child Care Benefit Pilot Program allows Door County employers to offer a child care stipend to their employees with matching funds provided by the Women’s Fund of Door County.