By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

Sarah Hampton of Pratt has been named a Rural Champion by the State of Kansas for her work with childcare needs through the Stafford County Economic Development Commission. Hampton, an office manager for Stafford County EcoDevo, has been visiting libraries in Stafford County communities and will continue to do so during the month of January to determine local childcare needs.

“I have allocated 20 hours per week to be focused on childcare and am traveling to Macksville, Stafford, and St. John with this in mind,” Hampton said.

Before hosting a Cocoa and Color event in each of the city libraries mentioned, Hampton puts out flyers and social media invitations to the visitation site, requesting that people come and talk to her about the needs they encounter regularly in finding childcare options that work.

“I was born and raised in Pratt, married here, and with my husband, am raising four children ages 27 down to an ornery 6-year-old,” Hampton said. “I know how hard it is to find childcare that works in our rural communities.”

Hampton, who is part of a first-generation farm family, said that she has operated a home daycare in past years, worked numerous years in her church nursery, and loves coaching kids’ sports such as soccer and volleyball at her local rec center.

“Children are very important to me,” she said. “This opportunity to work with finding out childcare needs and solutions in Stafford County is something I am very passionate about. I hope people come talk with me.”

Hampton has already meet with some of the communities listed and will make future plans known through library avenues and on Stafford County Economic Development social media channels.