UNC Health Appalachian Launches First-of-Its-Kind Childcare Partnership in Western North Carolina
New pilot program and provider partnerships aim to support working families and expand childcare access for employees
UNC Health Appalachian is proud to announce a groundbreaking new childcare support initiative for employees through a partnership with the North Carolina Tri-Share Program, becoming the first healthcare system in Western North Carolina to establish this type of partnership for its workforce.
This one-year pilot program is designed to ease the financial burden of childcare for eligible employees by covering one-third of participating employees’ childcare tuition costs. The remaining cost is shared between the employee and the state through the Tri-Share program. Because this is a pilot initiative, participation will be limited to a small number of employees during the first year.
This initiative further reinforces UNC Health Appalachian’s commitment to supporting working families and aligns with the organization’s recent Family Forward NC Certification, which recognizes employers that offer family-friendly workplace policies and practices. By investing in innovative benefits such as childcare assistance and flexible care options, UNC Health Appalachian continues to foster a workplace culture that supports employees professionally and personally.
“We are incredibly excited to be the first in Western North Carolina to bring this innovative partnership to our employees,” said Nathan Nipper, President and Chief Executive Officer of UNC Health Appalachian. “At UNC Health Appalachian, we understand that access to affordable, reliable childcare is essential for working families. By investing in solutions like this, we are helping remove barriers for our teammates while strengthening our workforce and supporting the long-term health of our community.”
"Leaders in Watauga County and across the entire High Country have been discussing childcare as an economic development issue for nearly eight years. Two of the most consistent voices in that conversation have been UNC Health Appalachian and Kid Cove. This partnership is the byproduct of staying committed to helping employees find quality childcare in our area, so that our hospital system can be at its strongest as it serves such a critical need for our entire community. We are thankful for the work of many State and local elected officials, industry partners, and all of the advocates who have been focused on making childcare affordable and attainable for employees in our communities," said David Jackson, President and CEO of Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.
Eligible employees may apply if they are full-time, have been employed for at least six months, have a child currently enrolled in—or seeking enrollment in—one of the participating childcare programs, and meet applicable state program requirements. Eligible applicants generally fall within 185% to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Participating childcare partners include:
- Kid Cove at Lynhill
- The Hugh Chapman Early Learning Center
These local providers have agreed to hold spots specifically for UNC Health Appalachian employees. While childcare spots are limited, the organization will continue to monitor availability and provide updates as additional openings become available.
In addition to the tuition assistance pilot, Kid Cove at Lynhill is offering a discounted, flexible drop-in childcare benefit exclusively for UNC Health Appalachian employees. This service provides flexible scheduling options for parents needing childcare for a full day or just a few hours.
“This program is an important first step in exploring new ways to support working families,” said Alysia Price, Chief Human Resources Officer. “We look forward to learning from this pilot and evaluating future opportunities to expand childcare support for our employees.”
