Terra Crews is a powerful force of endless patience, acceptance, and caring in our community. Whether it is her day-to-day work as the Executive Director of Holy Family Child Care Center or her pioneering the first crisis nursery in West Virginia, Crews is rolling up her sleeves to make Wheeling a great place to start for all children.
Childcare options is an important and maybe stress-inducing topic to any new or expecting parent. Wheeling has a plethora of amazing facilities across our valley, the system of childcare is locally and nationally plagued with long waitlists, high tuition costs, and low-pay for workers. Terra Crews advocates that early childhood education should be a top concern for society as it builds an essential foundation for the rest of the students’ lives. She is starting right here in Wheeling to fight for the change to make childcare a more equitable practice.
“For the children, early childhood education provides the opportunity for early detection of atypical development, secure attachment and social/emotional development. For parents, early childhood education providers provide knowledge, practices and support from a place of experience, education and compassion,” said Crews.
Childcare Innovation
When she got into the business of child care over three years ago, her intention was to clean up a foundational system that was nationally struggling starting right here in Wheeling.
“I never understood how it was so expensive for childcare yet child care providers make so little. I thought I could effectively open more spots, lowering our waitlist while also improving the standards of care. I was faced with a harsh reality very quickly,” said Crews.
According to the National Database for Childcare Prices, U.S. families spend between 8.9% and 16.0% of their median income on full-day care for just one child. Terra Crews is working to find ways to make those costs less prohibitive for working families in our valley.
“It comes down to whose responsibility it is to fix this issue. If child care providers solve the issue by raising their tuition to what is needed to retain staff, meet regulations, etc. the tuition would be far more than it is now exceeding every expense in households and would force families to choose between work to provide for their families or staying home to live with bare minimum until their children are school age,” said Crews.
Crews has advocated at the state legislative level for childcare advocacy and change.
“If legislatures fixed the issue entirely, we would rely solely on the government to sustain our budget leading to even higher taxes, more regulations and possibly taking their families’ preference for care completely out of their hands by depending on folks who may not even have children in child care or ever had!” said Crews.
Yet, Crews also sees another option: the employer. Companies could pay into childcare as a part of a comprehensive benefit package.
“The answer is that we must all work together. There is not one solution nor is there one person/organization who can save the day,” said Crews.
This is just the beginning of Crews’ heroic work for children and families in the valley.
West Virginia’s First Crisis Nursery
In the late spring, West Virginia announced the first state crisis nursery set to open in the Ohio Valley in 2026. The Village Crisis Nursery (VCN) is a 24 hour/7 day a week child care facility for families experiencing a crisis ranging from something as extreme as a medical emergency to a parent who needs temporary care for their children so they can go to a job interview. No matter the crises the VCN bridges the need for child care temporarily while families work to be stronger families preventing child neglect and abuse.
Crews is working with the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, DHHR, Catholic Charities, Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation and local foundations to make this service available for families.
“Mothers who need to have an emergency medical procedure done but has no option for child care will have the opportunity to choose herself and get the care she needs. A single parent escaping a domestic violent situation, would have the option to place their children in a safe, loving environment while she/he seeks support to better her life. There are so many reasons this service is needed and it is going to happen” said Crews.
Wheeling will be a pioneer for the state in crisis nursery services and Crews hope to expand the program state-wide to build better services for stronger families.
“I hope to accomplish a state-wide program that prevents child abuse and neglect through providing temporary child care for families facing crisis and connecting them to the resources they need to preserve and build strong families leading to healthier children, higher reunification rates for families entering the system, and connecting families to services and resources throughout our state,” said Crews.
A Valley of Opportunity and Resources
There are so many resources available to families in our valley that provide services to help children and families get the best possible start to life. Crews advocates for children and families to take advantage of these opportunities:
Catholic Charities provides support for families in need including emergency financial assistance.
Child Care Resource Center provides support for families who qualify to receive support to ease costs for childcare including before and after care for school age children.
Birth to Three is a FREE state program that provides therapy services to children who qualify.
The House of Carpenter helps to meet the basic needs of families through their programs such as the underwear and diaper ministry, utility assistance, backpack meal program, etc.
Northern Panhandle Head Start helps qualifying families receive support such as free childcare, parenting education, transportation, etc.
Ohio County Schools can support children once they reach the age of three through services such as summer meals, special education services, and more!
The West Liberty University Speech and Hearing Clinic offers testing, assessments and evaluations for hearing, speech and language at a very low cost to families.
The Family Support Center is a community based resource hub where families can go to seek support or just interaction.
The Ohio County Family Resource Network serves as a great resource to find support throughout the valley.
The Ohio County Public Library offers age appropriate activities for children and family activities. Families can borrow more than just books in the Library of Things program games, tablets, and even home infant care items.
Her Plan is a statewide resource guide for families including connecting families with medical providers and support.
Visit Wheeling has an array of events posted where parents can see what is happening in our community including free events.
Crews believes that childcare is the bridge that connects many families to these community resources.
“Child care is a basic need to sustain our workforce, healthy families and children, and support the foster care system,” said Crews.
Terra Crews continues to fight for the future of child care equity and ensure that every child has a safe, loving start. Her work makes Wheeling a supportive and thriving community for early childhood care and education.
