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Child care scholarships available for working parents of Savannah-Chatham students

Savannah Morning News - 9/10/2020

Parents asking for help to pay for child care so they can return to work while their children participate in virtual learning will soon have access to state-funded assistance.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently released an additional $17 million in CARES Act funding to help child care facilities. The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has established SOLVE (Supporting Onsite Learning for Virtual Education) scholarships.

The funding is reserved for parents whose children are in school districts that have implemented 100% virtual learning. Since Savannah-Chatham County schools are 100% virtual, students age 5 to 12 whose parents meet income guidelines are eligible for the program.

Parents can apply for the scholarships beginning Sept. 1.

"We heard from parents saying 'Our offices are opening back up and we're returning to work and we need a safe place for our children to [do online school],'" said Reg Griffin, the chief communications officer for the Department of Early Care and Learning. "Employees in child care facilities are highly trained to take care and help children. The governor came behind that and said, 'Let's see if we can help them pay for this program.'"

To qualify, family incomes must not exceed 85% of the state's median income, according to the website. For example, a single parent with one child must have an annual income of less than $44,048 to qualify.

The scholarships average $118 per week, according to Griffin.

The full list of income guidelines is at decal.ga.gov/CAPS/Solve.aspx.

"We have 4,500 licensed child care providers across the state. We were down as low as 30% of child care facilities [that were] open during the early days of the pandemic," Griffin said. "The governor said that you can stay open and we support you."

Griffin estimates 60% of the state's child care facilities are now open.

Registration for the scholarships is available at gateway.ga.gov. Families without a computer or internet access are encouraged to take advantage of free computer access at local libraries.

Before applying, parents should visit qualityrated.org to find a participating child care facility close to the family's home or parent's work. Facilities can be searched for by ZIP code or address.

Once a family applies for the scholarship, "we hope the turnaround will be very quick," Griffin said. "We know the families need this help right away."

The scholarship is paid directly to the child care facility, Griffin said. Any balance not covered by the scholarship will remain the responsibility of the family.

Contact the Department of Early Care and Learning at 888-442-7735 or solve@decal.ga.gov for more information.

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