Many parents are struggling to pay childcare expenses. Childcare aid program through a new partnership between the Leon County Children’s Services Council and the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend will help qualified parents to pay childcare expenses.
The Leon County Children’s Services Council will provide $250,000 childcare aid to target the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Population
The childcare aid will pay the first month’s childcare expenses, and the remaining 11 months will pay by Early Learning Coalition. The partnership to provide childcare aid will spend $2.8 million in state and federal funds.
The Early Learning Coalition is expected to help more than 500 children. The children or families will receive childcare aid services. The required household income of at or below the 150% poverty level to qualify for childcare aid, meaning a household having an annual income of $27,000 or less.
The Early Learning Coalition is reaching out to families on the waiting list for childcare aid assistance or who had previously inquired about childcare aid assistance. Coordinators say the additional funding from the Leon County Children’s Services Council will continue for the foreseeable future.
The Early Learning Coalition is asking residents to apply for childcare aid assistance. If interested, contact the agency through this website (https://elcbigbend.org/)
Budget for Children’s Services Council Local Funding Category
- The total request for CSC: $250,000
- Administrative costs: $30,000
- Direct assistance: $220,000 (approximately $435 per child x 505 children x 1 month)
Amount of federal/state funding: $2,888,726.98
- $2,253,207.04 ($405 per child x 505 children x 11 months)
- $635,519.94 (funds for admin costs, child screening and assessments, childcare aid program monitoring, and childcare mentor training)
- Return on investment: 1,313%
Read Also: Funding To Support Childcare System Runs Out On September 30