Press Releases
Released on March 27, 2007
PARTNERSHIP CREATED TO RESTORE CHILD CARE, EDUCATION SERVICES IN SOUTHWEST LA.
Collaborative offering grants for learning materials, education supplies
LAKE CHARLES, La.– The Southwest Louisiana Child Care About Results in Education, or C.A.R.E., Collaborative is offering grant opportunities to Hurricane Rita-affected child care providers.
The 2005 hurricane season destroyed much of Southwest Louisiana’s child care infrastructure. To replace lost learning materials, grantees will receive funding to purchase educational supplies, furniture and age-appropriate indoor and outdoor equipment. Centers can use a portion of the awarded dollars toward minor storm-related repairs. Grants will be available for up to $1,000 and determined by available funds and need.
The Southwest Louisiana Child C.A.R.E. Collaborative is responsible for reviewing and ranking the applications, conducting interviews and needs assessments, as well as making the final decision on which centers will receive funding. The Collaborative is a partnership of organizations focused on improving education for children and includes: Louisiana Family Recovery Corps, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, Building Resources in Developing Growth and Enhancement of Service for Children, Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, Excellence for Children, Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana and the Department of Social Services Office of Family Support.
“Hurricanes Rita and Katrina have paralyzed the state’s education system, leaving our children at risk,” said Raymond A. Jetson, chief executive officer of the Recovery Corps. “Our children are the future and that is why the Recovery Corps is partnering in this initiative to make certain all Louisiana students have the necessary tools to succeed.”
In order to receive a grant, recipients must be willing to participate in the state’s Quality Rating System or undergo the School Age Care Environment Rating Scale assessment, work with vendors and contractors approved by the collaborative and participate in in-depth training sessions. To apply, providers must be licensed Class A child care centers, nonprofit after school programs or new facilities opening in Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Beauregard and Jefferson Davis parishes. In addition, candidates must agree to accept child care assistance or child care nutrition subsidies.
“With child care in high demand, most centers have acquired long waiting lists and need simple things such as first aid kits and fence repairs to guarantee safety for all students,” said Gaye Courville, director of community impact for United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “The partners in the collaborative have worked hard to identify these needs and we hope this opportunity helps providers address concerns both small and large. The Southwest Louisiana Child C.A.R.E. Collaborative will continue to be committed to rebuilding the child care industry in Southwest Louisiana.”
Interested child care providers can pick up an application from the United Way of Southwest Louisiana office located at 715 Ryan St., Suite 102, Lake Charles, LA, 70601. Applications can also be downloaded from the Rebuild Child Care Web site, www.rebuildchildcare.org. Applications must be submitted to the United Way no later than 3 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2007.
To learn more about the application process, potential applicants are encouraged
to attend one of two informational workshops taking place Tuesday, April 3,
2007 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 6 p.m. The computer-based sessions
will take place at the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles,
located on 809 Kirby St., Suite 126. To register, call 337/494-7000 or email
fbias@literacyswla.org
