KLAMATH FALLS — Cascade Health Alliance has awarded Klamath Community College more than $363,000 to advance construction of the college's new Childcare Learning Center, a collaborative facility designed to help low-income families achieve economic stability, educational advancement, self-sufficiency, and access to the workforce.
"Klamath Community College is grateful to Cascade Health Alliance for recognizing that a healthy and economically strong community needs a good foundation of child care." — KCC President Dr. Roberto Gutierrez
Once complete, the center will provide up to 144 slots for children from infancy to age 5, freeing parents to work or continue their education across the Klamath Basin. It will be the largest childcare center in southern Oregon.
"KCC could not be more pleased with CHA's generous donation, and we especially want to thank CHA President and Chief Executive Officer Grant Kennon for his support and foresight in helping fund this project." — Dr. Gutierrez
The funding comes from Cascade Health Alliance, an awardee of the Oregon Health Authority's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Program. Lack of affordable childcare is one of the most significant hurdles for TANF recipients pursuing employment, education, stable housing, mental health treatment, or substance use disorder recovery. By reducing that instability, the KCC Childcare Learning Center will directly support parents — and the future early-childhood educators who will staff centers like it — by providing quality, affordable care and a well-trained workforce for rural Oregon.
"Supporting KCC's Childcare Learning Center is a natural and powerful extension of CHA's mission to build a healthy community by investing in strong, stable families right here at home. By removing the barrier of affordable childcare, we empower low-income families to pursue higher learning and self-sufficiency while training the next generation of early childhood educators — creating a cycle that strengthens families, grows our local workforce, and advances healthier, more resilient communities for all." — Grant Kennon, CEO of Cascade Health Alliance
The $18.5 million center is being developed in partnership with the Oregon Child Development Coalition and Klamath County. Now under construction on the KCC campus and slated to open in 2027, it will serve both as a working childcare facility and as a training site for students in KCC's Early Childhood Education and Paraeducator programs — with 12 classrooms for the 144 children and two additional classrooms for KCC students.
True to its long-standing position, KCC is not asking taxpayers for additional bond money for the project; much of the construction cost is covered by state and federal grants. To close the gap, the KCC Foundation has launched a $1 million capital campaign — "From Acorns to Oaks" — and is inviting the community to give. The Cascade Health Alliance gift will count toward that campaign goal.
To donate, contact Lisa Carter at carter@klamathcc.edu or 541-880-2234, or give online at klamathcc.edu/foundation. For more about KCC and its programs, visit klamathcc.edu.
