Starting Point wins top WINGS award for doubling child care benefits

Starting Point earned the Platinum WINGS Award at the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit in San Diego for a model that helps Northeast Ohio employers double child care contributions through matching state funding. The program is designed to make child care more affordable for working parents while helping businesses support retention and workforce stability.

Why it matters: - The Starting Point model turns employer child care spending into a larger benefit for working parents. - The approach pairs private dollars with state matching funds, which can stretch employer investment and expand access to care. - The program is designed to help employers support employees without taking on the full burden of benefit administration.

What happened: - Starting Point received the Platinum WINGS Award, the highest honor at the 2026 TOOTRiS WINGS Summit. - The award was presented in San Diego in front of about 300 child care leaders and industry partners. - Starting Point was recognized for “Child Care Benefit for a Thriving Workforce and Economy,” an employer child care benefit model built around matching state funding. - TOOTRiS selected six finalists to present at the summit, and attendees voted on the winners.

The details: - The program connects employers with a dollar-for-dollar match from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth through the MidTown Child Care Benefit Fund. - Starting Point helps participating businesses set contribution levels and employee eligibility. - Starting Point also manages the benefit and provides reports to human resources teams. - The organization helps employees find local child care options that fit their family needs. - Nancy Mendez, president and CEO of Starting Point, said employers often want to help with child care but do not know where to begin. - Mendez said the model doubles the value of employer investment and gives working parents a real person to help them find care. - TOOTRiS said more than $10,000 in funding and support was awarded across the WINGS program. - Starting Point serves families, child care providers and employers across Northeast Ohio, including Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties. - The organization’s employer services combine local child care market knowledge with personalized referrals and benefit administration.

Between the lines: - The award signals growing interest in employer-led child care benefits as a workforce strategy. - The model also reflects a broader shift toward public-private partnerships that aim to make child care more affordable and easier to administer. - TOOTRiS CEO Alessandra Lezama said dependable child care strengthens workplaces, supports providers and helps communities move forward.

What's next: - Starting Point will continue offering employer child care services through its Northeast Ohio network. - More organizations may look to the Ohio matching-fund structure as a template for similar child care benefit programs. - For more information, visit Starting Point’s employer child care services.