New Child Care Facility in Tacoma: The city of Tacoma is addressing its critical child care shortage with the groundbreaking of the Cora Whitley Family Center, a state-of-the-art $20.9 million facility set to transform early childhood education and family support services. Scheduled for completion in January 2026, the center will add 100 child care slots, a vital expansion in a city where only 17% of child care needs are currently met.
Cora Whitley Family Center: Key Details
- Location: 2316 South State St., Tacoma
- Size: 32,000 square feet
- Capacity: 300 children across 19 classrooms
- Opening Date: January 2026
Addressing Tacoma’s Child Care Crisis
The new facility is a significant milestone for the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center (MCFHC), a long-standing community organization. Over the past 30 years, MCFHC has evolved from serving five children in a church basement to supporting over 8,000 families annually with preschool programs, emergency foster care respite, and services for families facing homelessness.
Gail Neal, executive director of MCFHC, emphasized the transformative potential of the new center: “This facility will provide quality early learning opportunities and create a centralized hub for families to access essential support services.”
Tacoma Child Care: Economic and Social Impact
The Cora Whitley Family Center represents more than just a solution to child care shortages. Its strategic location near key social service agencies and its comprehensive range of programs aim to enhance the overall quality of life for Tacoma families. Key benefits include:
Job Creation
- Construction Jobs: The development phase is creating numerous employment opportunities for local workers, stimulating the economy.
- Permanent Roles: Once operational, the center will hire educators, administrators, and support staff, contributing to long-term job growth in the region.
Economic Ripple Effects
- Boosting Local Businesses: The influx of families and staff will increase demand for nearby goods and services, benefiting local retailers, restaurants, and service providers.
- Increased Tax Revenue: Property and sales taxes generated by the center will help fund public infrastructure and education improvements.
Enhanced Workforce Participation
By offering more child care slots, the center will empower parents to rejoin or remain in the workforce, increasing household incomes and stimulating local economic growth.
Comprehensive Family Support Services
The Cora Whitley Family Center will provide a wide array of services aimed at fostering child development and family well-being:
- Early Childhood Education: High-quality preschool programs to prepare children for lifelong learning.
- Full-Day Child Care: Safe and nurturing environments for infants and toddlers.
- After-School Programs: Structured activities and supervision for school-aged children.
- Parenting Resources: Workshops and tools for effective child-rearing.
- Health Screenings and Nutrition Education: Promoting physical health and healthy eating habits.
- Mental Health Support: Access to counselors for emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Emergency Respite Care: Short-term care for children in crisis situations.
- Cultural Competency Initiatives: Programs that respect and incorporate diverse cultural backgrounds.
Tackling Tacoma’s Rising Living Costs
With the median monthly cost of infant care in Pierce County reaching $1,138 in 2023, access to affordable child care remains a significant challenge for families. The Cora Whitley Family Center aims to alleviate this burden, enabling parents to focus on employment and education without the stress of long waitlists or insufficient child care options.
Building a Stronger Tacoma
The Cora Whitley Family Center’s innovative approach to child care and family services marks a pivotal moment for Tacoma. By addressing a critical shortage and offering holistic support, the center is set to become a cornerstone of the community, fostering economic stability, workforce participation, and enhanced quality of life for families.
For updates on the Cora Whitley Family Center’s progress, follow the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center’s official channels.