News Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Clayton Scrivner, Communications Manager
435-597-8108 

June 12, 2025 

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Highlights Park City’s Childcare Scholarship Program  

Park City, Utah – Park City’s Childcare Scholarship Program continues to receive national accolades and attention, highlighted as the feature on Utah Insights, a PBS Utah public affairs program. The segment explores how the City’s new program is helping local families afford childcare while supporting a stronger, more resilient workforce and community. 

Launched in 2024, the Childcare Scholarship Program is a collaboration between Park City Municipal and childcare company Upwards to provide tuition assistance directly to local needs-based working families. Thanks to additional financial support from the Park City Community Foundation’s Early Childhood Alliance, 100% of $1M public funding allocation goes directly to children’s tuition. 

“This is a program built after listening to our community, understanding working families’ needs, and taking a bit of a leap of faith,” said Mayor Nann Worel. “We’re proud to be leading the way on childcare in Utah — and grateful to see our efforts recognized by PBS and national partners alike.” 

Earlier this year, the Program gained national recognition when the Mayor Worel was invited by Moms First to present at Child Care Hill Day in Washington, D.C., where she joined national leaders in advocating for sustainable childcare solutions. In May, Park City’s program director Michelle Downard, presented the program as a best-practice case study at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Leads Fellowship Program Master Class. 

Recently, Upwards completed a one-year impact report that estimates the program provides a $4.64 million boost to the local economy, driven by working parents being able to secure employment due to reliable childcare, thereby increasing work hours and productivity, and reducing costs associated with employee turnover. 

The PBS Utah segment showcases the real-world impact of the Park City program, highlighting a local qualifying working family — demonstrating how local government can effectively partner with nonprofits and the private sector to help those most in need. 

Check out the segment to learn more about the difference being made in Park City for local families and our workforce. Learn more about the scholarship program here.