MARC supports KCMO First Responders Tri-Share Child Care Pilot

About the opportunity

Kansas City, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is launching the Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program to expand access to affordable child care for first responders in Kansas City, Missouri. Eligible participants include city police, fire and aviation department employees who have children needing full-time care and have a household income between 150% and 555% of the federal poverty level. Child Care Aware of Missouri serves as the third-party program administer and will utilize the TOOTRiS technology platform to administer eligibility, enrollment, payments and reporting.

Through the tri-share program, the cost of child care is shared among:

• The city of Kansas City, Missouri.
• The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
• Participating first responder employees.

Enrollment will be determined on a first-come, first-served basis by April 30, 2026. 

Child Care Works Missouri

The MARC Early Learning department is also working on the Child Care Works Missouri program for the Kansas City region. Participating employers offer child care benefits to their employees through the TOOTRiS platform. MARC’s role is to connect employers and child care providers, increasing the number of child care options available, supporting employer workforce attraction, and stabilizing the child care marketplace.