City: Hampton, Virginia

Reporting to: Director of Economic Empowerment and Family Resilience

The Challenge

Access to quality childcare is essential for family stability, workforce participation, and healthy child development. In Hampton, the demand for affordable and reliable childcare far exceeds the available supply. The city is only aware of three to four providers that offer non-traditional care and there is a shortage of providers that care for infants. There is also a waiting list for the after-school care offered through the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department. The lack of adequate childcare options creates significant barriers for all families, and especially for those in poverty or with low incomes, for whom a lack of affordable childcare limits access to jobs and education opportunities necessary to advance economically. Other barriers include nontraditional work schedules and transportation challenges, as well as the fact that faith-based childcare options in Hampton are largely Christian-centered, leaving families from other religious traditions without culturally responsive care. The childcare shortage also impacts employers who experience financial losses from decreased productivity due to childcare-related absences. Meanwhile, childcare staff—often women and women of color—are underpaid and lack benefits.

Hampton city leaders want to find creative solutions to childcare challenges. The effort is led by a new Department of Economic Empowerment and Family Resilience, which was created in 2024 to address systemic and individual barriers that limit upward mobility. The department is conducting a number of research projects to understand the childcare shortage and its impact. For example, a survey wrapping up in February 2026 seeks to understand community needs from the perspective of families, providers, and employers. In the spring, focus groups will be held with childcare patrons and providers.

Next, city leaders aim to consolidate this research and start engaging community partners in developing solutions. Among other things, they plan to create a Child Care Task Force of providers, employers, and community partners. The goal is to identify collaborations that can advance creative ideas, develop an action plan informed by research and stakeholder input, and begin piloting innovative models for addressing childcare affordability, access, and cultural inclusivity.

Key questions include:

• What wage benchmark and employee benefits would stabilize the childcare workforce?
• What cost-reduction strategies would have the greatest impact for parents/caregivers and providers?
• How much economic productivity could be regained by reducing childcare-related workforce disruptions?
• What kinds of pilot programs and partnerships can be launched within three-to-six months?
• What policy changes or funding streams are needed to sustain these efforts?

What You’ll Do

The fellow will advance the city’s childcare initiative by collaborating with key stakeholders, analyzing available data, and identifying potential solutions and next steps. The hope is to open new opportunities for childcare expansion, including partnerships with diverse faith-based organizations and increasing entrepreneurial pathways for in-home childcare and new centers. Key internal stakeholders include the City Manager’s Office, mayor, and City Council, as well as departments including Economic Empowerment and Family Resilience, Human Services, Economic Development, Human Resource, Police, Fire and Rescue, and 311. External stakeholders include providers (licensed, voluntary registered, religious exempt, military, and informal), employers, local colleges and universities, local foundations and community nonprofits, and the state Department of Education.

Key deliverables will include:

• Gather input from families, childcare providers, employers, and community partners.
• New and developed relationships with stakeholders to support development and implementation of future pilots and programs, including a Child Care Task Force supported by the Office of Economic Empowerment and Family Resilience.
• An analysis of data to guide planning and decision making, including:
  • Insights on childcare salary variations, affordability, and workforce and employer challenges.
  • Interfaith opportunities for childcare expansion.
  • Modeling financial implications of different kinds of childcare interventions.
• Development of an Action Framework with short-term and long-term strategies, including pilot proposals, implementation plans, funding opportunities, and policy recommendations.

What You’ll Bring

The fellow will be expected to possess the following skills:

• Design Thinking
• Policy Analysis
• Financial Modeling
• Qualitative Interviewing and Analysis
• Marketing

Apply here

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