Child care funds are needed

The Partnership for Children registered 45 children last Saturday in need of summer school age care and expects more to come.

"Again, Alleghany County finds itself in the middle of a summer school age care crisis," said Angie Wagoner, child care resources director. Subsidy funds for school age children will be suspended effective May 28, and will not be reinstated until school starts back up in August, said Wagoner.

"That means that families previously receiving assistance for their before and after school care will be struggling to find ways to pay for childcare or looking at other options," she said. "Parents will be forced to pull their children out of a program, find alternative care, leave their children at home alone or possibly quit their jobs." The average cost of care for a school age child for a summer is $560, Wagoner reported.

"Most families have more than one child, so some are looking at double or triple that amount for summer care," she said. "It will cost $25,000 to pay for all the children presently on our waiting list."

The Partnership for Children is trying to raise money to help support those families who are in need of summer child care and is seeking local support.

"Generous contributors are helping us along but more are needed," Wagoner said. Contributions to the partnership are tax deductible. "Businesses or individuals can sponsor a specific child for the summer or make a general contribution to our summer childcare fund," she noted. For more information or to make a donation, contact the partnership at 372-2846.

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