10/29/09 - Madison County

By: Jonquil Newland
jnewland@wbbjtv.com
9:15 p.m.
 
Federal programs like Cash for Clunkers and first time home buyer incentives have pumped billions of dollars into our country with the hopes of stimulation our economy. However, that money is also helping families who are not looking to buy anything, but working overtime to help pay for child care.
 
Last spring, the Tennessee Department of Human Services began a $42,000,000 relief program called the Child Care Recovery Scholarship. It is designed to help reduce the bills of working families, some up to 80 percent. Now, with more than 4,000 children enrolled across the state, it is more successful than ever. 
 
"The way the economy is right now, everybody needs help. To be able to help families to provide childcare for them while they go out and try to make a living for their family makes me feel good," said daycare Director Felecia Transon. 
 
Day care costs can range from $120 to $150 per child, per week in Madison County. It is a figure that can add up quickly when you have more than one. "It's kind of hard finding a babysitter that will keep all four of my kids," said Katrina Hurd. 
 
All four of Hurd's children are enrolled in the Southwest Program, a scholarship much like the Child Care Recovery Scholarship. "It actually does the same thing for the families," said Transon. "It helps low income families that cannot afford childcare, that need childcare, that have multi-children or maybe one child. Most of the time we help parents save maybe 50 percent of their tuition."  
 
The program is income based. A parent with one child can make no more than about $3,100 a month to qualify. That number goes up the more children a family has. Hurd said the scholarship helps her afford gas to get to work. "We save a whole lot of money, a whole lot of money," said Hurd.
 
The scholarships are only available to parents who work or go to school full time. For a full listing of daycare providers and qualifications, visit http://state.tn.us/humanserv/recovery/CC_arra.html.