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Child Care Cuts Affect Many
Fort Collins Coloradoan
January 11, 2003
Columns

On January 1st this year, the eligibility for Child Care assistance in Larimer County was reduced by almost one fourth. Flat federal funding over the last five years and an increasing caseload of participants led to the Department of Human Services reducing this eligibility from 185% of the federal poverty level to 140%. 456 children who last year received assistance are now out of the system.

What does this mean? The implications are numerous, and serious. Most affected are the families and children who are losing this support.

Gordan Thibedeau, our local United Way’s Executive Director, is very concerned. "It’s an extremely difficult situation," he said, "because the people affected by it are people who can least afford it. They are not people trying to beat the system, but trying to work within a living wage level."

There are few alternatives for those who were already struggling. Parents - often single - are faced with the choice of finding alternative and often unlicensed child care providers, leaving children at home alone, cutting back on other necessary items such as food or medical insurance, or not working so they can stay at home .

Mary Carahar, Executive Director of Project Self Sufficiency said, "People may have to quit their jobs. The loss of assistance may make it impossible for them to work."

Carahar says those most at risk are parents whose incomes are low, but above 140% of the federal poverty level. For example, a parent earning $22,000 per year, with two young children will see almost half their gross income going out to childcare. This leaves them with few choices.

"There are a lot of budgetary cutbacks at the State and Government level," said Thibedeau. "As a result, United Way is being inundated with requests for support."

The cycle threatens to continue. Not only are some families now unable to afford childcare, but also those childcare centers, already non profit agencies on the thin edge of economic viability, will face significant decline in income, and possible closure - meaning all their clients lose quality childcare.

United Way is looking at alternatives to help address this serious concern. One possibility is partnering with community groups in a less traditional way to raise funding. If any book clubs, theater clubs and other type of social groups have an interest in providing scholarships or funding, then United Way can partner with them to research and identify appropriate childcare agencies and provide the accountability for the donations.

"There are no real easy solutions to it", said Thibedeau. "As a community, we’ve got to look at where we can help. For those inclined to do that, we at United Way are willing to work with them and explore any new, untraditional ways to support this important issue." To contact United Way call 407-7000.

For more information on Child Care Issues in Larimer County, please see the new report on the compass website at http://www.larimer.org/compass/reports.htm

-By Meg Brown a.k.a.: Sophie Waghorn

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