Partnership for Children Hosts Community Advocacy Night, Paving the Way for Child Care Solutions

Partnership for Children Hosts Community Advocacy Night, Paving the Way for Child Care Solutions

 

Selma, NC — The Partnership for Children of Johnston County hosted a powerful event in August to engage families and community leaders in a discussion about the child care crisis and its impacts on Johnston County residents. The evening brought together parents, child care providers, and elected officials to reflect on the challenges facing families and included a screening of "Take Care NC," a documentary that sheds light on the profound issues facing child care across North Carolina. With only one child care slot available for every five families in need, according to the North Carolina Early Education Coalition, this conversation was a crucial step in creating real and lasting solutions for our local community.

 

The evening highlighted the personal impact of the crisis. District Attorney Jason Waller shared his recent experience of being turned away from his daughter’s child care facility due to a teacher shortage. "It's a good thing I have a flexible schedule and was able to make different arrangements, but I thought, 'What about parents who have to be at work by a certain time and don't have the same flexibility?'" Lorena Esparza, the Partnership's Quality Support Manager, also shared her own story of being a child care provider for over a decade. “I was forced out of a career I loved because my wages weren’t enough to live on my own. I stayed with my parents until I was thirty years old, and it breaks my heart that I had to leave the classroom to be able to have my own home. It saddens me to know that my situation was not A table discussion included (left to right): Matt Mulhollem, Mayor of Archer Lodge; Dr. David Pearce, Johnston County Superintendent; Lyn Andrews, Johnston County Board of Education; Cassandra Brooks, Owner of Little Believer’s Academy; Heather Machia, Partnership for Children; Jason Waller, Johnston County District Attorney; Donna White, North Carolina House of Representatives; and Byron McAllister, Mayor of Selma.the exception but the reality for many teachers today.”

 

The Partnership is actively addressing these issues through various initiatives. They oversee the NC Pre-K program for the county, which offers high-quality preschool education for eligible 4-year-olds. For the 2025-2026 school year, NC Pre-K sites are serving 332 children, while 160 children are currently on the waitlist. Additionally, the Partnership administers nearly one million dollars in funding for child care subsidies to make care more affordable for families. In June 2025, the waitlist for these subsidies had grown to 306 children. Additional funding is necessary for both programs to effectively meet the growing needs of Johnston County.

 

Another key initiative is the Partnership’s Child Care Academy, which is focused on building a pipeline of support for aspiring child care providers. This program provides all the necessary training and skills required to work in a licensed child care facility at no cost to participants, helping to alleviate the staffing shortages that contribute to this crisis.

 

This advocacy event was hosted in collaboration with MomsRising, a grassroots organization dedicated to achieving economic security for all moms, women, and families. The group encourages anyone who has experienced difficulties with child care to contact their elected official and use their voice as a tool for change by sharing their story and advocating for more solutions. The Partnership is committed to innovation, providing solutions, and bringing the right people to the table to build a stronger system for all.

 

About the Partnership for Children of Johnston County

 

The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is a non-profit organization that has strived to improve the safety, health, and emotional well-being of young children for more than 25 years. The Partnership works to enhance the quality of early childhood education, promote strong families, and ensure school readiness for all children in Johnston County.

 

Together, we can improve the economic sustainability of Johnston County by ensuring that its future workforce is prepared for success in school and life. To learn more about the Partnership’s programs and services, please call 919-202-0002 or follow us on social media @PFCJoCo.