New foundation aims to help working parents

TOPEKA (KSNT) - On Wednesday, Family Forward officially cut their ribbon at Washburn Tech.

The Family Forward fund is built for parents who need financial assistance to afford childcare. It will be based around investments from local businesses.

Sarah Elsen, the Executive Director at Childcare Aware of Eastern Kansas, said this is an ongoing problem in the local community.

"Childcare is not a family issue, it is not a mother issue," Elsen said. "This is a community, economic issue. And, it's going to take everyone coming together to address this crisis and figure out ways that we can support our economy, support our family and support our community."

Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla thinks in the long run, an employer's contribution will pay off for their business.

"They know they can count on their employees to be there, work hard, not be worried about what's happing with their kids while they're at work," Padilla said. "I think employers will see that it's [an] investment for them to retain good employees, to get them to stay with the company."

The goal is to create 451 new child care slots by September 2025. Any business can apply to be a part of the fund at familyforwardnow.org.

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