The Mason County Economic Development Council in partnership with Mason Matters was awarded Washington State Department of Commerce funding through the Child Care Partnership Grant. Child Care Partnership Grants support development of local strategic plans to expand access to affordable, high-quality childcare. The number of available childcare slots in Mason County is declining while demand continues to grow.

Mason County Childcare Coalition

Child Care Partnership Grant Final Report

Read final report here

Mason County Childcare Coalition: News & Updates

  • Mason County Childcare Coalition Meeting #5 (read more) – March 2026
    The Mason County Childcare Coalition focused on expanding childcare capacity, exploring workforce development pathways, and highlighting local solutions to support families and providers.

  • Mason County Childcare Coalition Meeting #4 (read more) – February 2026
    The Mason County Childcare Coalition worked on strengthening the childcare workforce pipeline, reviewing funding pathways, and aligning legislative advocacy to support local families and providers.

  • Mason County Childcare Coalition Meeting #3 (read more) – January 2026
    Coalition met to transition from discussing challenges to outlining concrete strategies for expanding access, strengthening the workforce, and securing sustained funding. Partners also explored workforce development linkages and reinforced the importance of childcare as economic infrastructure.

  • Mason County Childcare Coalition Meeting #2 Recap (read more) – November 2025
    Coalition focused on expanding childcare access across the county. Representative Travis Couture provided an overview of statewide policy conditions, while Julie Knott of Mason Matters facilitated a SWOT analysis to inform the coalition’s strategic planning efforts.

  • Childcare Coalition Kickoff Meeting(read more) – October 2025
    The Mason County Childcare Coalition officially launched its strategic planning initiative with a kickoff meeting that brought community partners together to discuss key childcare challenges and identify priorities for action. The session emphasized the importance of collaborative solutions to improve access, affordability, and workforce support.

  • Press Release (read more) – October 2025