MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership

Program Highlight: Wadena Area Childcare

In 2019, Wadena County conducted a community needs assessment. One of the needs identified was the need for more licensed family childcare providers. A group consisting of Astera Health, First Children's Finance, the Initiative Foundation, Sourcewell, MAHUBE-OTWA, and several Wadena community members looked at various ways to address this need within the City of Wadena.

After a lot of grant applications, meetings and planning, the final product in the fall of 2025 was the Wadena Area Childcare Suites. These four modern suites were created in a wing of the Astera Health Legacy Campus. Each family childcare suite can be licensed to have 14 enrolled children under MN childcare licensing. The partnership between Astera Health and MAHUBE-OTWA is to offer financial support with low rent and paid utilities in a modern childcare suite from Astera Health. MAHUBE-OTWA has developed a business model with ongoing support from a Coordinator to manage the childcare suites as well supporting the growth of childcare providers in the day-to-day operation of operating a quality licensed childcare. The providers also receive support from Parent Aware coaches, a Wayfinder Navigator, and First Children's Finance.

To date, two providers have become licensed in the Wadena Area Childcare. Two currently are going through the licensing process. There are also other applicants interested in this unique opportunity to become licensed childcare providers out of their home with the support to learn and be successful Childcare Providers. Prior to this, the last childcare provider to be licensed in Wadena County was in the fall of 2024.

Video Link: Wadena Child Care

Connect with MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership

Website:  www.mahube.org

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