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Our Mission

To provide quality, reliable and sustainable childcare solutions to the citizens of Barton County. 

Mission
Our Board

Meet the Board

Advancing Barton County Childcare

Our Board team consists of business leaders, public sector leaders and childcare professionals. Together, this team is committed to establishing high quality childcare centers and support. 

Sara Arnberger, Board Member

Sara Arnberger

  • Sara Arnberger

Sara Arnberger is President at Great Bend Economic Development and serves on the ABCC Board as Chairman.

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Laura Maneth

  • Laura Maneth

Laura Maneth is the Human Resources Business Partner for University of Kansas Health Systems Great Bend Campus and serves on the ABCC Board as Vice Chairman.

Mary Foley, Board Member

Mary Foley

  • Mary Foley

Mary Foley is the Director of Workforce Training and Economic Development at Barton Community College and joins the ABCC board as Secretary. 

Matt Patzner, Board Member

Matt Patzner

  • Matt Patzner

Matt Patzner is the Barton County Administrator and joins the ABCC Board as Treasurer.

Aaron Andrews, Board Member

Aaron Andrews

Aaron Andrews is a Real Estate Broker at MPIRE Realty Group and joins the ABCC board as a board member.

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Phil Metro

  • Phil Metro

Phil Metro is the Manufacturing Manager/Sustainability at Superior Essex and joins the ABCC board as a board member. 

Jim Blackwell, Board Member

Jim Blackwell

  • Jim Blackwell

Jim Blackwell is Regional Vice President at Great Plains Health Alliance and joins the ABCC board as a board member. 

Khris Thexton, Board Member

Khris Thexton

  • Khris Thexton

Khris Thexton is the Superintendent at USD428 and joins the ABCC board as a board member

Patrick Crowdis, Board Member

Patrick Crowdis

  • Patrick Crowdis

Patrick Crowdis is the Superintendent at USD431 and joins the ABCC board as a board member

Cody Schmidt, Board Member

Cody Schmidt

  • Cody Schmidt

Cody Schmidt is Mayor of Great Bend and joins the ABCC board as a board member. 

Larissa Graham, Board Member

Larissa Graham

  • Larissa Graham

Larissa Graham is the Director at the Barton Community College Child Development Center and joins the ABCC board as a board member. 

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Debbie Stephens

  • Debbie Stephens

Debbie Stephens is the Director at GPS Kids and joins the ABCC board as a board member. 

The ABCC team has been working hard to bring this childcare center to life. As we continue on in our journey, you can check back here for updates, FAQ's and more. 

"Our goal was and is to create a self-sustaining center with high standards of education and care and competitive pay. We’re very pleased to have secured zoning approval for our childcare land, while this is certainly a huge milestone in the project, we have many more to conquer before we have a completed project. We will be sure to share and celebrate all of the coming milestones with the public, right here, as they happen."

Check out our newsworthy moments!

Read More HERE

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Click HERE to view our job postings. 

*There are no open positions at this time. If you are interested in future positions please send your resume to admin@abccinc.org

Commonly asked questions can be found here as well as vendors and services you can expect to see in the upcoming center. 

With Great Bend's Center up and running we are moving to our next construction project in Hoisington! Click HERE to view our construction progress! 

Newsworthy
Contact Us

Contact Us

Our address and contact details

Mailing Address

4507 Farmers Plaza Ln

Great Bend, KS 6530

Phone & Email

Phone:

620.796.2392

Email: admin@abccinc.org

or

kelsie.baxter@abccinc.org

Business Hours

Monday - Friday

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Closed Weekends

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Center Hours 

7:00 - 5:00

Facility Tours

M-F from 9-1 pm

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