The goal of the Rural Homes Early Childhood Initiative (RHECI) is to simultaneously address the housing and childcare shortages of the region through integrating new affordable home construction with new family home childcare operations.

Background on the RHECI Pilot in Ouray, Colorado:

The RHECI began as a strategic plan led by Rural Homes, guided by a statewide advisory committee of early childhood and local experts, including Ouray County's regional early childhood council, Bright Futures. This team planned, designed, programmed, and staffed the RHECI pilot at Waterview Homes. A bilingual project staff member recruited and trained prospective FCCHPs using an accelerator curriculum, which covered early childhood education, business operations, and coaching (based on the All Our Kin national curriculum). Two final providers were selected to move into the two new, strategically located and licensed-ready FCCHP three-bedroom homes (effectively four-bedroom due to the childcare area and including large indoor/outdoor play spaces). Mission Driven Finance purchased the homes, acting as a childcare-friendly landlord who offers the providers a pathway to eventual homeownership. The homes were sold to Mission Driven Finance for $479,000 each, far below construction cost. Donor subsidies have kept the providers' rent below market rate as they scale their businesses to a licensed capacity of 12 children each and build capacity for homeownership. Additionally, providers received a startup grant for furnishings.

The RHECI equips new FCCHPs with the training, specialized homes, and resources to establish stable, licensed businesses within dedicated FCCHP units. The RHECI model offers a unique opportunity for communities and prospective childcare entrepreneurs across Colorado.