Cooperation Station prepares to close August 12 due to staffing changes

This upcoming Monday, August 12, the Cooperation Station childcare facility will close temporarily due to unforeseen staffing challenges.

The Cooperation Station Board of Directors and officials from Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) are working together to recruit a lead teacher replacement following the news that Mackenzie Young is leaving the position to move to the Twin Cities. 

“We will miss her,” said Nancie Deming, the Cook County licensing case manager/childcare coordinator. “But I was happy to learn that she plans to continue in this field in her new community.” 

The Cooperation Station Board plans to communicate and assist impacted families during the temporary closure. “We anticipate reopening once a new Lead Teacher has been hired,” a July 24 statement read. The childcare facility is also hiring for a part-time assistant teacher. 

Adrianna Brisson, secretary of the Cooperation Station Board, said when the childcare facility reopens, it will continue to operate under the new parent cooperative model created by Young. 

Right now, Deming said PHHS and Cooperation Station board members are in the brainstorming phase to explore the next steps until staff are hired. To help in the recruitment process, Deming said PHHS is offering new employees a hiring bonus, free training, and funding for equipment or supplies. “We also subsidize some of the unfilled childcare spots when the new providers come on board.”  

Cooperation Station previously temporarily closed in Oct. 2023, following the resignation of the former director. The childcare facility then reopened in Nov. 2023, following the hire of Young.

The Cooperation Station Board of Directors has posted the director/lead teacher position and part-time substitute teacher position online. Interested candidates may contact the Board at cooperationstationboard@gmail.com or find more information here. 

Kalli Hawkins August 7, 2024