Boone County Commission News Release

Boone County approves $2.5 million funding agreement for construction of Public Safety Childcare Center

COLUMBIA, Mo. (October 23, 2024) - During its Tuesday meeting, the Boone County Commission approved a $2.5 million funding agreement with the State of Missouri for the construction of the Public Safety Childcare Center. The Center is thought to be the first purpose-built public safety childcare center in the nation.

The $2.5 million in state funding was appropriated by the Missouri General Assembly during the 2024 legislative session and is anticipated to cover approximately fifty percent of the cost of the construction project. The line-item is found in House Bill 2020 section 224.

The Boone County Public Safety Childcare Center, an approximately 10,000-square-foot facility will provide extended access to childcare for first responders within Boone County Government. The childcare center will initially include 4,988 square feet in finished space on the main level and 4,988 square feet of unfinished space in a walkout basement to accommodate future expansion of the facility.

Access to and the availability of affordable childcare is at crisis level across the nation. This is exacerbated for first responders due to atypical, unpredictable schedules and the typically limited hours of most childcare centers. Through the construction of the Public Safety Childcare Center, Boone County hopes to address the challenge of finding childcare for its first responders.

Staffing in 911 centers across the state and nation is also reaching crisis levels. According to the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), dispatch centers nationwide have a 15%-20% average annual turnover rate. Since June 2023, Boone County Joint Communications has undergone significant restructuring, which has improved recruitment and retention of key staff and has put the Joint Communications Center on a path to a more sustainable staffing level. Staffing nonetheless remains a challenge.

"The Public Safety Childcare Center will be a heavy lift, but we are confident that it will be extremely beneficial to first responders and the public at-large. This childcare center will be a sustainable recruitment and retention tool for first responders, especially for our Joint Communications Center. While much work remains, we are excited about this opportunity and we are very appreciative of the support from the Missouri General Assembly and Governor Parson," stated Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick.

Construction on this project is expected to begin in late spring 2025 and the Center is anticipated to open in early 2026. The construction will take place on the Boone County Public Safety Campus adjacent to the Boone County Regional Training Center, which is currently under construction and set to be complete by fall 2025.

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