photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Gov. Laura Kelly speaks at a celebration at the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto on Jan. 17, 2025.

Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday that the State of Kansas is partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas to open a licensed child care center in Topeka.

The child care center will serve both state employees and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas employees. The center will be housed in a renovated building on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas campus. Construction will begin this spring, and the center is expected to open in late 2026. A groundbreaking event is being planned for later this spring.

The renovation is funded by $2.5 million in state money which came from a pilot program approved by the Kansas Legislature development of a pilot program to increase child care access to state employees. BCBSKS will cover any additional costs.

Kelly said in a press release she was pleased to announce this public-private partnership, which she believes is a good strategy to “(solve) child care shortages.”

“I urge other employers across the state to develop innovative solutions and utilize various state programs to provide greater access to care for their employees,” Kelly said.

The child care center is planning to operate as a 501(c)(3) and will be overseen by a Board of Directors representing the State of Kansas and BCBSKS.

Once open, State of Kansas and BCBSKS employees will pay the individual enrollment costs. More information about how employees can access these child care slots will be provided at a future date.