BridgeCare connects hundreds of Mesa County families to childcare options
Local milestone
Mesa County families are increasingly relying on BridgeCare to find the childcare they need, logging more than 1,500 searches so far this year.
“This is an exciting milestone for our program, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made since BridgeCare first launched,” said Michelle Reeves, PCF Childcare Navigator Supervisor. “We wanted to address Mesa County’s childcare desert – and the improvements we’ve seen in just a few years are incredible.”
Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families (PCF) launched the user-friendly, web-based tool in 2022. Since then, it has helped hundreds of families connect with local childcare providers.
“BridgeCare has actually been a big game changer for me and our kiddo, especially in finding a safe environment for him. 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,” said local mother Elizabeth Riley.
Addressing childcare shortages
Childcare shortages still exist in Mesa County, especially in more rural areas. BridgeCare helps close the gap by providing families with tailored search options such as type of care, hours, services offered, and location. From there, PCF uses real-time data from Bridgecare to understand how many additional childcare slots are still 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,” said Reeves.
BridgeCare is a two-generation approach- children access quality care and education while parents and caregivers gain the ability to grow their careers and support their families.
Stephanie Bivins, PCF Director, explained, “Reliable, affordable child care isn’t just a family issue- it’s an economic one. Parents are a vital part of Mesa County’s workforce, and access to quality, affordable child care allows them to show up, stay productive, and help our local economy thrive.”
“Having help with preschool expenses and finding the right preschool allowed me to get a vehicle to get the job I needed,” said one Clifton father.
How to get started
Families can visit PCF’s website to search for childcare openings, while providers can set up a profile and manage their program.
About PCF
PCF is Mesa County’s early childhood council, working to address local needs and expand access to early childhood services. Mesa County Public Health serves as the program’s fiscal sponsor. Together, they are working to strengthen and streamline early childhood education, ensuring families and children across Mesa County have the support they need to thrive.
