PITTSFIELD — With Berkshire County facing a shortage of more than 1,500 child care slots, the state is investing $400,000 in a pilot program aimed at making child care more affordable for working families.

Berkshire United Way will pilot a "tri-share" model where the cost of an individual child's care is split between the state, the company and the employee, said Katherine von Haefen, Berkshire United Way president and CEO.

A $400,000 grant was awarded to the Berkshire organization as part of a statewide attempt to expand employer-led child care programs. They are one of four organizations to receive a portion of a $2.5 million pilot program.

"BUW will serve as the hub, linking employees with care in our participating companies and child care centers," von Haefen said. "Funds will also support business consultation on family-friendly policies, a project coordinator and a third-party evaluation."

The grant will initially support more than 40 child care slots. The program's success will be measured by an independent evaluation looking at whether it improves employee retention, encourages employers to adopt more family-friendly child care policies and increases support for working families.

Berkshire United Way is the co-chair of the Berkshire Early Childhood Collaborative whose work is guided by a November 2025 survey that found parents struggle to find affordable child care and available openings, creating challenges for both families and employers.

Employers identified child care assistance as the benefit they would most like to offer if they had the resources, while employees said help paying for child care was among their greatest needs.

According to the Child Care Trust, Berkshire County has around 3,260 slots, but the potential need is estimated to be 4,550.

The pilot will focus on employee-supported child care models "tailored to the needs of" Greylock Federal Credit Union and the hospitality industry, including expanded child care, coverage for non-traditional business hours and employer-funded child care assistance.

"There is a huge need in our county to support our hospitality sector through care provided during non-traditional hours," von Haefen said. "Greylock, led by John Bissell, understands his employees' challenges with finding available and affordable child care."

The state of child care is different across the county, with needs varying by area, but an overarching problem is the cost, said Amy Hall, President and CEO of Child Care of the Berkshires.

For families that don't have access to state funding support and are paying the full cost, the cost is a struggle, Hall said. At Child Care of the Berkshires, infant care is $350 per week per child, which is $18,000 per year.

"For a family with two young children, that adds up very quickly," Hall said.

This program, Hall said, will hopefully lessen the reliance on state financial assistance, which typically has a waitlist, and speed up access to child care.

"It will also make child care more affordable for these families," Hall said. "If employers can support child care long term, additional child care spaces may open."

Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said in a press release that this grant is the result of months of effort.

“A workplace that uplifts parents drives economic opportunity not just for that family but for the whole community,” said Farley-Bouvier. “So much credit goes to Berkshire United Way for prioritizing solutions and committing to partnerships that promote affordable, reliable childcare for employees."

Rising costs for teacher salaries, health insurance, liability insurance and food have made it difficult for providers to expand, Hall said, contributing to persistent waitlists.

"This pilot will be successful when employees of Berkshire County businesses have quick access to affordable, high-quality child care, allowing them to work, while also providing stable child care income for child care providers," Hall said.