Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 1, 1995 TAG: 9503010038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The pilot project - developed by United Way of Virginia and the Virginia Department of Social Services - could bring an additional $26,000 in subsidies to low-income, working Roanoke families.
For years, Virginia has failed to get its full share of this kind of federal child care subsidy funding because the state did not have enough money for matching funds. The state was required to contribute 40 percent to receive its full share.
For the pilot project, the federal government will match the private contributions dollar for dollar.
Last year, the United Way of Virginia and the state Department of Social Services initiated legislation to explore ways for state agencies to secure the federal child care funds using private money. The two agencies launched a study, selecting six pilot sites across the state to participate.
``It is a study to determine whether we can do it and develop a mechanism to do it,'' said Penny Kirk, executive director of United Way of Virginia. ``That money is just sitting out there. We thought there had to be a way to access those child day-care dollars.''
In Roanoke, the agencies found support from three organizations, which agreed to contribute a total of $12,000 in matching funds. United Way of Roanoke Valley put up $5,000; the Foundation for Roanoke Valley, $5,000; and Allstate Insurance Co., $2,000.
A fourth organization - the Junior League of Roanoke Valley - may contribute $1,000.
Those contributions, plus a matching amount from the federal government, will provide a possible $26,000 in child care subsidies.
"This is the first time United Way money has gone to government," said Linda Holsinger, vice president of marketing and communications for United Way of Roanoke Valley. "We're used to private sector work. But this funds our mission - helping people in the Roanoke Valley."
Alan Ronk, executive director of the Foundation for Roanoke Valley, said the pilot project paralleled the foundation's focus - meeting the needs of young children.
"And it was an opportunity to work with and leverage other funders' money in a way that would benefit the community," he said.
The subsidy funds will be administered by the Roanoke Department of Social Services.
The additional money "is certainly a help," said Ruth Clark, a social work supervisor for Roanoke social services. "We can serve a number of families with that."
The department has 30 families receiving that kind of child care subsidy, Clark said. There are plenty more who are eligible, she said.
Many recipients had been on welfare, worked their way off and earn too much to qualify for welfare but too little to afford day care on their salaries alone.
The additional money, "will enable us to serve that many more families," Clark said.
by CNB