Childcare isn’t just a family issue, it’s a workforce issue. If parents struggle to find childcare options, they may be forced to delay job opportunities or work limited hours.

Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families (MCPCF) is addressing these challenges through BridgeCare, a database that has generated more than 1,500 searches this year alone.

“Parents are a vital part of Mesa County’s workforce, and access to quality, affordable childcare allows them to show up, stay productive and help our local economy thrive,” said Stephanie Bivins, director of Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families.

BridgeCare background

BridgeCare is a user-friendly, web-based tool that launched in the summer of 2022 and since then has helped hundreds of families connect with local childcare providers.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made since BridgeCare first launched,” said Michelle Reeves, childcare navigator supervisor for Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families. “We wanted to address Mesa County’s childcare desert, and the improvements we’ve seen in just a few years are incredible.”

The platform has tailored search options such as type of care, hours and services offered. Parents are able to search for providers located along a commute route or specific neighborhood. Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families and its partners can view the search data to understand how many additional childcare slots are needed.

“Even if a parent does not find care with BridgeCare, the search tells us where care is needed to encourage new locations. We use the data to find what our community needs and act on it,” Reeves said.

Lasting impact

Strong early-childhood development lays the foundation for long-term economic growth and community stability. With 90 percent of brain development occurring by age 5, access to early-childhood education and services is critical for future success.

Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families is committed to a two-generation approach, and BridgeCare directly supports that effort.

Children receive quality care and early learning that sets them up for long-term success as they grow and eventually become the workforce of the future. This, while parents and caregivers gain the ability to advance their careers and financially support their families.

Reliable childcare also stimulates the local economy by generating employment opportunities for early-childhood educators and providers.

Local success

Childcare shortages are most prevalent in rural parts of Mesa County, but targeted investments are making a difference. The opening of the Clifton Community Center in 2024 created more than 200 childcare slots, officially lifting the Clifton ZIP Code out of childcare-desert status.

BridgeCare now helps families easily find those new openings.

“BridgeCare has actually been a big game changer for me and our kiddo, especially in finding a safe environment for him,” local mother Elizabeth Riley said. “The first time I searched for childcare it took two weeks of making calls only to be on a waiting list, because they are full. With BridgeCare I was able to reach out directly to the people who actually had openings after I read all their ratings online.”

As Mesa County continues to make childcare more accessible, businesses benefit from a more stable, committed workforce. BridgeCare supports this momentum by quickly connecting families to care, ensuring employers feel the positive impact.

Mesa County Public Health encourages employers to share BridgeCare with their employees who are searching for childcare openings. Parents can visit the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families website at childcare.mesacountypcf.org to get started.

Elliotte Schroeder is a communication specialist at Mesa County Public Health.