News

Dogwood grant helps Early Childhood Taskforce expand mission

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 22, 2026

The Children & Family Resource Center has been awarded a $130,000 Collaboration and Innovation Grant from Dogwood Health Trust on behalf of the Henderson County Early Childhood Task Force. 

Co-chaired by leadership at Children and Family Resource Center, Smart Start Partnership for Children, and School Board member and community advocate Amy Lynn Holt, the Early Childhood Taskforce is a community-driven coalition committed to expanding access to affordable high-quality child care for families across Henderson County.

The Taskforce was formed in January 2023 in response to the deepening child care crisis exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Each year, approximately 1,000 babies are born in Henderson County, yet the county has licensed child care slots for only 83 infants. At the same time, child care providers earn an average of just $12 per hour, while families face rising costs that place care out of reach. These challenges have significant ripple effects — impacting parents’ ability to work, children’s readiness for school, and the long-term economic vitality of our community.

“This grant from Dogwood Health Trust represents a transformative opportunity for Henderson County,” task force member Jamie Wiener said. “Child care is fundamental to our community’s well-being. This investment allows us to deepen our collaborative efforts, elevate our message and move decisively toward equitable, long-term solutions for families.”

Grant expands capacity, outreach

The Dogwood Health Trust grant will allow the Henderson County Early Childhood Taskforce to significantly expand its capacity by engaging contracted team members who will coordinate outreach, community engagement and communications efforts.

Formed in 2023, the Early Childhood Taskforce is a collaborative coalition dedicated to ensuring that all families have access to affordable, convenient, safe and high-quality child care. The group consists of nonprofit leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, community members, and local advocates working to advance early childhood solutions that strengthen families and support a thriving local economy.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Western North Carolina with a mission to dramatically improve the health and well-being of all people and communities of the region. Through collaboration, partnership and strategic investment, Dogwood works to support innovative solutions that strengthen the foundations of health across its 18-county service area.