Steve Kopecky | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzB1y9kTXrk
Steve Kopecky | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzB1y9kTXrk
The City Council of Carroll is exploring the application process for a Community Development Block Grant for a much-needed childcare center in the community.
At the urging of council man Alexander Foley from Region 12, a presentation was made at the April 10th council meeting describing the CBDG and the additional benefits the funding could create. The program in general is intended to fund community development activities that build stronger and more resilient communities. Construction of community centers, and public services organizations are among those eligible for consideration.
Steven Kopecky, the executive director of New Hope Childcare Center, informed the city council of his organization and how a grant could be used to create a childcare center for employees with small children, including those with disabilities.
“Carroll's in a childcare desert,” Kopecky told the city council. “There are four children waiting for every one slot in child care. And I'm not an expert in this area, but the more I looked at this, the more I saw the need.”
New Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides housing assistance and vocational services to people with disabilities. It is a 24-hour service. Many of their employees are women with children. Offering childcare would be viewed as an employee benefit.
“We saw people with disabilities and of that subpopulation of children who are waiting for slots,” Kopecky said. “Many kids with disabilities even find it harder to find child care or after-school care. So that so it started to align with our mission.”
To be eligible for the grant, the city must conduct a salary survey of its residents. The population needs to be 51% within the low to moderate-income population in order to receive the grant. If the city does receive the grant for New Hope Childcare Center, the city would be the manager of the funds.
The council ultimately voted to approve the survey and the application process. New Hope is already preparing facilities capable of serving almost 40 children and their families interested in childcare. They are hoping the grant will help the organization expand that service to more than 100 children. New Hope will start offering its services in the fall. The grant would help it expand its hours to 2-10 p.m. for childcare.
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