The Community Foundation of the NRV 25-26 Annual Report

OUR ONGOING INVESTMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN & FAMILIES Supporting the NRV’s Childcare Workforce

Celebrating early childhood champions at the Igniting Connections Symposium in 2025.

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I n 2022, First Steps, a program led by the CFNRV, received a four-year, $1.15 million ARPA grant from the Town of Blacksburg to strengthen the local childcare workforce. Ongoing shortages of early educators—driven by low wages, limited benefits, and high stress— have made it difficult for providers to maintain or expand care. The grant has supported strategies focused on recruitment, retention, and professional development to help stabilize the workforce and expand access to high quality, affordable childcare. As the project concludes in 2026, we are deepening our commitment to early childhood education by sustaining and expanding successful programs and launching new regional initiatives. Long-term success will continue to rely on strong partnerships with organizations and community members who recognize childcare as vital to the region’s economy and quality of life.

The funding allowed us to retain staff for longer periods of time…We leveraged the stipends to encourage staff to take advantage of more professional development classes.”

Judy Shelor, Valley Interfaith Child Care Center

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