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PERHAM — The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed May 6, 2022, as Childcare Provider Appreciation Day in Otter Tail County, in honor of its many licensed family childcare providers, and asks the community to join in recognizing the valuable contributions these family childcare providers make to our community.
"Childcare Providers are essential to families, communities and employers," said Otter Tail County Family Childcare Licensor Lisa Spangler. "Assuring the health and safety of children is both a rewarding and challenging job. Providers are tasked with the great responsibility of caring for and educating our children and in return deserve our support and appreciation."
Otter Tail County has 133 licensed family childcare providers licensed on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Human Services by Otter Tail County Human Services. Family childcare providers in the county serve approximately 1,300 children and their families.
"When people ask me about why I do Family Childcare for as long (26 years) as I have, I always answer with ‘because I genuinely love what I do,’" said Lisa Votaw, a Fergus Falls family childcare provider. "Not only do I get hugs and kisses on a daily basis, but I am creating memories of learning and fun in a positive atmosphere. I hope that my impact in their life will be something they take with them into their future."
To further support existing childcare providers and expand access to quality childcare for residents, the county will use grant funds from West Central Initiative to hire a childcare project manager.
