York Day Early Learning Leads York County Pilot for Children Impacted by Opioid Abuse

Thanks to the York County Board of Commissioners, York Day Early Learning (YDEL) is pleased to announce the receipt of a York County Opioid Settlement Fund grant.  As a result, YDEL is piloting a project to support the health and education of children impacted by substance abuse disorders and participating in the Collective Response Initiative York (CRIY).  York, like many communities across the globe, continues to look for ways to help families in crisis and ensure access to high-quality childcare.  Lack of support in this area has a dramatic impact on addiction recovery success.
“When you think about the economic and emotional impact that families experience as they try to navigate recovery but face ongoing barriers of accessible, high-quality childcare, we recognize there has to be a better way,” shares York Day Early Learning Executive Director Sara Bradley. “The purpose of the Collective Response Initiative York is to significantly reduce the adverse impacts of substance use and create an environment of recovery and support. We are inspired by this collective approach and look forward to piloting the Strong Foundations Bright Futures Program to families in our community.” 
Starting on April 1, 2025, YDEL will begin accepting referrals from caseworkers at York County recovery agencies for families needing childcare and after-school care. These referrals will be covered through a grant managed by York Day. Three local agencies, York Day Early Learning, YWCA York, and the York Jewish Community Center, will participate in the pilot. All three organizations practice trauma-informed care and are skilled at supporting the educational development of children of all ages. 
“York County is known for being a community of collaboration, working with each other and partner organizations,” notes York County Planning Commission Senior Grants Management Specialist and administer of the settlement funding, Caitlin Steel. “The Collective Response Initiative York (CRIY) is bringing partners together around a common goal: to reduce the adverse impacts of substance use in our community. When agencies and organizations know each other and work together, referrals get stronger, our services improve, people are assisted faster, and we all achieve goals together.”
Any organization interested in learning more about the Bright Futures Strong Foundations pilot program should contact Sara Bradley. “We see this pilot as a first step in expanding a collective approach to stabilizing families in need,” Bradley states. “We’re honored to lead this program and look forward to building upon it to ensure families have the support they need to thrive.”
 
About York Day Early Learning
York Day Early Learning (YDEL), a 501(3)c nonprofit organization located in York, PA, is York’s longest-operating childcare center. We aim to be the agency of choice for high-quality early learning for children of working families throughout York County.
With a commitment to ensuring access to early childhood education, YDEL provides scholarships to over 80% of our families. We continue to rely on public and private partnerships to grant scholarships and keep tuition affordable while providing innovative ways to engage students and families.