Child care group is in a pinch

As public and private agencies and organizations cut budgets, there's little left over to help subsidize child care for low-income families.

By LISA BUIE, Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

SPRING HILL - Spring Hill Ministerial Association: Unable to donate. Downtown Development Corp. of Brooksville: Unable to donate. City of Zephyrhills: No funds available due to budget reform. VFW Post: Unable to reach anyone.

These are the notes submitted by the agency charged with raising about $260,000 in matching money to subsidize child care for the working poor in Pasco and Hernando counties.

So far, the Pasco Hernando Early Learning Coalition has received in-kind donations, such as office space, clerical work and a plumber who knocked $500 off the price of repairs.

"We are working very hard on this," said Linda Foy, chief executive officer of Childhood Development Services, the Ocala-based agency the coalition hires to oversee the fundraising. The in-kind is welcome, she said, but the agency really needs cash to reimburse day care centers that take on needy clients.

"Our providers don't want to be paid through the good works of a plumber," she said.

On Thursday, Foy reported the latest bad news. The United Way of Pasco County denied the agency's request for money. However, Foy said the agency had set aside $5,000 in case rejected agencies wanted to file protests. But even if the coalition won, would the amount of money be worth the effort?

Board member Steven Kanakis was emphatic. "I think we should protest. I don't care if it's $50. Doesn't United Way of Pasco County care about our youngest citizens?"

Board member Steve Davis wondered if an appeal failed, might it "open other doors?"

The coalition agreed to pursue an appeal, provided there was still time.

But the coalition's decision might come too late. The deadline was Thursday, said United Way president Susan Arnett.

She explained the agency's rationale in turning down the coalition's request.

First, the committee that considered the request had concerns about the coalition's $300,000 surpluses during the past two years. The coalition ended up spending that money at the last minute each year in the form of minigrants doled out to child care centers.

Also, Arnett said, volunteers and United Way staff had met with CDS staff several months ago and informed them of the possibility of receiving money the Pasco County Commission gives the United Way to allocate.

"During that meeting, it was explained that there was only $365,000 available, and that, typically, approximately 30 agencies apply for more than $900,000."

She said CDS applied for $260,000 of that pot.

"The fact that CDS chose to apply for more than 70 percent of the total funds available demonstrated a lack of awareness of the overall community," Arnett said.

She also said CDS, which two years ago won the bid to oversee services over Pasco-based Youth and Family Alternatives, lacked a track record in Pasco County.

"Volunteers were concerned that the organization had not adequately prepared for receiving the contract because they had never contacted local, potential contributors as to what funding availability there might be for them," she said.

Foy could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

The federal government requires local governments to come up with 6 cents for every dollar spent on child care for the working poor. The state, which allocates the federal money, has been able to balance the ledger so far because some counties have ended up raising more than what's required.

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

In July, Antioco told the board that 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.

Hernando County commissioners had previously agreed to give the coalition $50,000 but with state budget cuts, that might change.

Meanwhile, board members are looking for ways to improve name recognition in the area and drum up more donations.

Board member Jean Raggs said Thursday that a West Virginia coalition raised money by allowing individuals to sponsor a child.

Contributions were small, about $25 each, but they add up, she said.

The board also is sponsoring a series of literacy festivals set for Nov. 2 in various locations across the two counties.

It has $119,000 left to go.

Lisa Buie can be reached at buie@sptimes.com or (813) 909-4604.

In other business

Hiring is delayed

Coalition board members postponed choosing between two finalists for the executive director's job. Chairwoman Lisa Hammond said James J. Farrelly, a former school superintendent who heads a New Jersey guardianship agency, and Richard Aubry, a retired educator and consultant from Sarasota, would both be qualified, but had "different personalities." The board agreed to review the candidates' interviews and meet later to make a final decision.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 22:15:26]