Back in May, the Early Childhood Committee hosted its first Childhood Resource Fair. The fair provided families easy access to child development resources, government assistance programs, childcare and daycare sign ups, and summer camps. Overall, 35 volunteers helped connect 26 families (28 kids and 46 parents) to 17 different vendors over the course of the 4-hour event.
Finding childcare in Red Lodge is a struggle for families, and with recent changes with the local Head Start program, the process has become much more difficult. The resource fair was a great way for parents to find local childcare options. Unfortunately, it doesn’t address long-term issues in finding and keeping adequate childcare available for busy families. Quality childcare is not cheap, and can leave parents in a tight place. Some families have to choose between life’s essentials and keeping their kids in a childcare program. When this happens, the child suffers- without socialization and time spent learning “hard skills”, kindergarten can be overwhelming and difficult.
After strategic planning and evaluating the current need within the community the Early Childhood Development Committee has formed Carbon County Young Families. This a committee driven group that brings resources and opportunities to the community to help fill gaps that young families may be taking on alone.
Carbon County Young Families knows that child care expenses can be daunting or sometimes impossible for some families, so the committee has created The Early Childhood Grant through the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation. This Grant will help provide funding to enhance the developmental and educational opportunities in a supportive environment, for young children and families in need. Several donors have contributed to establish the fund.
The Grant Committee has been receiving applications for grants already! The applications are simple and noninvasive. You can find a printed application in the entryway of the Foundation or online at https://www.rlacf.org/get-support/funding/youth/. The committee is committed to a 72-hour response time to all grant requests. Funding will be given out on a first come, first served basis.
Donations to the fund are welcome, checks can be dropped off at the Community Foundation or submitted online at www.rlacf.org/donate.
Children are our future. As the next generation, they will influence economic development, tax rates, business development, whether or not we go to war, and who will be president. An investment in them now is an investment in their future, and in our future.