Business Innovation in Child Care Spotlight: Hancock County Childcare Collaborative

Groundwork Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, has released a new resource, Business Innovation in Child Care: Case Studies Across Ohio, highlighting how businesses across the state are advancing child care solutions for their employees and communities. In the weeks ahead, we'll be spotlighting these efforts—sharing examples of initiatives taking place across Ohio.

Hancock County Childcare Collaborative

The Hancock County Childcare Collaborative was formed in 2024 after United Way of Hancock County and the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of more than 600 families about their child care needs and frustrations. Fifty businesses also were contacted.

Convened by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, the Collaborative includes representatives from United Way of Hancock County, Blanchard Valley Health System, the City of Findlay, the Hancock County Commission, Hancock County Job and Family Services, and the Findlay Family YMCA. Teachers, child care providers, employers, government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and funders are also involved.

Funding Child Care Support

To support the Collaborative's work, the Foundation created two dedicated funds.

The Foundation allotted $100,000 to provide child care support for families who earn too much to qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care assistance and who struggle to afford child care.

In January 2026, the Collaborative was awarded a $224,566 Early Care & Education Business Partnerships grant to launch the Hancock County Tri-Share Program. The one-year initiative will be managed by the Findlay Family YMCA. Under the program, most employees will pay 40% of their child care costs, while employers and the grant will split the remaining 60%.

The grant can support child care for 40 children, and the Foundation's child care fund will supplement the Tri-Share model.

The Blanchard Valley Port Authority donated $50,000 to the effort, noting that access to child care is an economic development issue.

Supporting Long-Term Solutions

The Foundation's second fund of $50,000 supports the creation of long-term solutions to child care issues.

Through the Hancock County Childcare Collaborative, community partners, employers, local government, nonprofit organizations, and funders are working together to support child care initiatives in Hancock County.

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