Child Care Services More Accessible to Working Parents, No Wait List
By: Kristin Anderson
Updated: April 25, 2012
"We used to have over 1000 children on the wait list at all times, and currently we have no wait list," said Jimmi Bender, Child Care Services director.
The Work Force Center's Child Care Services is without a wait list for the first time in a while. And though normally with a wait of three to six months, The ability to place children now is rather quick.
"Right now, if somebody calls in and gets all their information, they can be placed within a week," said Bender
But after the program received more funds from the AARA program last year, the income bracket that determines who is eligible for the program has gotten bigger. And that's been a bonus for the program.
"I think it has been good for us because more people qualify for the program," Bender said.
While making the program more accessible to working parents should add more kids to the wait list, the economy does play a factor into why there is no wait list for a program that has always had one.
"You do have to be working, training or going to school," said Bender. "So there have been people who have lost employment, so that makes a difference too."
But even in a tough economy, the more accessible program helps more people save a little bit extra on child care, which is something that can be quite pricey.
"Even with the co pay that they would have to pay, which is a percentage of what their income is, you know that is still, they have to pay by private pay, this is still a savings to them that can help them right now during the economy like it is," said Bender.
Child care services does have over 125 providers in 19 counties. Interested parents should contact them through the Work Force Center.
The Work Force Center's Child Care Services is without a wait list for the first time in a while. And though normally with a wait of three to six months, The ability to place children now is rather quick.
"Right now, if somebody calls in and gets all their information, they can be placed within a week," said Bender
But after the program received more funds from the AARA program last year, the income bracket that determines who is eligible for the program has gotten bigger. And that's been a bonus for the program.
"I think it has been good for us because more people qualify for the program," Bender said.
While making the program more accessible to working parents should add more kids to the wait list, the economy does play a factor into why there is no wait list for a program that has always had one.
"You do have to be working, training or going to school," said Bender. "So there have been people who have lost employment, so that makes a difference too."
But even in a tough economy, the more accessible program helps more people save a little bit extra on child care, which is something that can be quite pricey.
"Even with the co pay that they would have to pay, which is a percentage of what their income is, you know that is still, they have to pay by private pay, this is still a savings to them that can help them right now during the economy like it is," said Bender.
Child care services does have over 125 providers in 19 counties. Interested parents should contact them through the Work Force Center.
