Agency needs help to match state in funding child care

The state helps working poor pay for child care, but it expects help from the locals.

By LISA BUIE
Published July 12, 2007

When the state doles out money to help the working poor pay for child care, it expects the locals to put up some cash, too.

In the case of the early learning coalitions across Florida that oversee subsidized programs, that means 6 cents for every dollar spent must be raised at home.

The agency that handles such programs in Pasco and Hernando counties so far expects to need about $260,000 for 2007-08. The amount raised so far?

A lone gift of $50,000 from the Hernando County Commission.

And with state-mandated tax rollbacks, even that's in jeopardy.

Board members of the Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition talked Wednesday about the need to seek private donations to make up for any shortfalls that might filter down from Tallahassee.

"The school district has already been put on notice about possible state budget cuts," said board member Elaine Wooten, also a curriculum specialist for the Hernando School District.

Hernando County budget writers are looking to trim about $8-million from the budget in response to the required rollback, although specific items have yet to be identified.

At Wednesday's early learning coalition budget workshop, board members discussed ways to secure money.

In the past, the agency has not raised the full amount but met the requirements by shuffling money from areas that underspent, said chief financial officer Debbie Antioco.

The board ended the fiscal year with a $310,000 surplus, which it was forced to spend on "mini-grants" to child care centers.

Antioco said the coalition has always been fortunate to have money to cover the lack of donations but "we will be at a terrible disadvantage" if that changes or the state tightens its rules.

Board Chairwoman Lisa Hammond expressed the need for an ad hoc committee to come up with ways to raise the match.

"We need to have a group of creative minds to see how we can tackle this," she said.

Hammond said a donation from the Pasco County Commission is unlikely, and Hernando County's pledge is "really at risk."

Board member Toni Watkins stressed the need for face-to-face contact with potential donors.

"We have to get out there to the meetings and socialize with these people," she said. "You can't just send them letters."

Lisa Buie can be reached at (813) 909-4604 or toll free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4604. Her e-mail address is buie@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 11, 2007, 22:23:44]