BabyCorps offers significant benefits to both mothers and their babies.

Whether a mother plans to have their baby in center care or in family child care, BabyCorps “Teams” can provide enhanced support. BabyCorps raises the ratio of child care provider to child at six weeks of age and beyond to 1:1 replacing the current 4:1 ratio and with relationships that will span the entire “Awakening” years of a child’s life.

With this new support in place, new mothers have several options that include: attending college, returning to work or attending training opportunities. ‍ ‍

PILOT: SPRING 2026

In the Pilot we are seeking new mothers interested in a possible career in early childhood. A “BabyCorps Certificate” has been developed that includes an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts with an advisement sequence in Early Childhood. Embedded in the Certificate is the nationally accredited CDA (Child Development Associate), and 2,000 hours of supervised training in the IBERO Child Care Center in Rochester, New York. Mothers will “train” as part of a cohort including three new mothers and their babies. This training will include connecting each mother with her own child to further enhance their unique relationship. In addition, as students, mothers are eligible for Federal Work/Study funds so they may be paid while training with their own baby for the entire three years of the pilot.‍

For the pilot, six older adults have volunteered and are trained and have committed to ongoing relationships with the infants. They will be joined by the guide, Jim Coffey, and Dr. Herendeen to comprise the first “Nurturing Team.” Lifespan has assisted us in recruiting the six older volunteers to be part of the first team. Recruitment of mothers for the pilot is scheduled to begin in Spring, 2026.

Infants in the pilot who complete the first three years will be awarded a full academic scholarship to Monroe Community College in the Fall of 2044. The scholarship has already been established.

Following the success of the plot, subsequent “teams” will be formed and can include new mothers who may wish to work or partake in specialized training as opposed to attending college.

Since teams are staffed by volunteers and are not paid, the hosting center will receive a financial benefit of upwards of $50,000 for three babies. (Monroe County’s financial support for needy mothers is nearly $16,000 per child annually.) In addition, the ratio of childcare provider to baby improves from the current 1:4 ratio to a 1:1 ratio and in relationships that endure throughout the child’s awakening years.

Criteria for participation for those mothers interested in furthering their education:

• First time mothers who are at least 18 years old

• Babies are born in the spring 2026 for the pilot.

• Mothers are qualified for full public assistance

• Willing to work with other mothers and volunteers serving as child care workers

• Clearance to work in regulated child care programs

• Health Clearance