Agenda - 03-15-2005-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARANGE CAUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUNG CHILDREN March 3, 2005 1829 E. Franklin Stveet, Suite lzoo-C < Chapel Hill, NC z7514 Phone 919 967.9091 fax 919933.1008 www..0rangeSmartStart.org Dorothy Gamble Chair, Orange County Day Care Task Force Department of Social Services Dear Dee: We aze writing to offer our support for the work being done by the county's Day Care Task Force and Social Services Boazd to establish a Day Care Trust Fund. We know from research that quality early childhood education provides the beginnings of a sound education and a sound economy. There remains a critical shortage of funding to support working families in our county despite the fact that more than $5 million is invested annually in child Gaze subsidies and scholarships by our organization and via state and federal sources through the Deparment of Social Services. Each yeaz, there are hundreds of children and families who cannot access quality child Gaze in our' community, and the consequences aze devastating for our county: Young children aze not able to access high quality early childhood education opportunities which would help ensure their success in school and in life. Their pazents maybe forced to quit their jobs or will lose their employment because they cannot afford child care services. Local employers do not have access to qualified employees and the work force needed to ensure successful businesses. The Day Care Trust Fund proposed by the task force would be an hnportant step in establishing the county as a funding paztner for child Gaze subsidies: the current fenders cannot meet the community need. The Pazmership itself aheady commits nearly 60% of its total Smazt Start allocation for child care subsidies for working families, and the state/federal share is capped and based on population. With the county's leadership, I believe that other partners, including the business community, would become more involved and supportive.. Funding for child care subsidies is an investment not only in families but also in the county's economy. A recent study demonstrated that the child care industry is a vital pazt of the state and local economy, Irr Orange County, the chIld care sector contributes $136 million annually to our economy. So this is not just an investment in children and families, but an investment in our economy as well. The Partnership looks forward to working with you and the county to make the Day Caze Trust Fund a reality. You can count onus to continue our current invesnent in child Gaze subsidies, and to promote the Day Care Trust Fund to other paztners in our' community. Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you in this important work for' children and families in Orange County Si~ereurs, Z Shazon Ringwalt Chain, Board ofDirectors BOARD Fletcher Barber, lr. N.C. Cooperallve Fnlenslon Orange County Center Lynn Blanchard Carollw Center for PUbllc Servlcet Jennifer 8o~ger Vowd Roses oundaiion Bob Brizendine Hillsborough Presbperian lay Bryan Allomey Shirley Carraway Orange County Schoolt Di1ta Castro Frank Porter Graham Child Development institute Mark Chilton EnPOWERmenl.lnc Barbara Coafiey Chapel Hill/Canbom Clry Schoolz Pre K/Head Start program Nancy Costmt Orange County Department of Social gervices joe OiCostanzo rarem Anita Farei UNC School of Public Health Lisa fischbeck Churth aflhe Advoratc Stephen Halkiotis Orange County Commissioner Rachel Hawkinz Piedmont FA1C Paula lanes Crwllve Preschool john Link, lr. Orange County dlawgcr Mike Ma(hers Chapel HIII Tralniny Outreach Neil Pedersen Chapel HIII/Canbaro Cily Schools Dann Reed parent Sharon Ringwalt Orange CounryPreubaol Interagency [oundl Sue Russell Child Care Services Assodation Kate Saltford Clmpei HIII Day Care Center Lica Smith Whole FOOds Alsket 8reltda Stephelts Onn4e Caunry library Rosemary Summers Orange County Health Depstmenl Judy Truitt OPC hlenlal Hcallh Michele Rivesf GIVING EVERY CHILD A CEJ~J~~~ I N ORANGE < O U N T Y ExenniveOircetar