10th Annual Child Watch Tour - Thursday, April 6, 2006

The Child Watch Tour celebrated it's 10th year with a focus on Child Care Subsidy. The Tour, a partnership between Children First and The Junior League of Asheville, took place on Thursday April 6th 2006.

The Tour was a huge success with over 50 participants including state and local representatives, business leaders, and concerned community members.

Child Care Subsidy in Buncombe County has reached a crisis point and without our collective voices, children and their families will continue to be at risk.

• Did you know that the cost of one year of day care for a child in Buncombe County is 102% greater than one year at UNC Asheville?
• Did you know that Buncombe County is currently reimbursed at the lowest level in the state for child care?
• Did you know that with a simple 5% increase in child care subsidy funding Buncombe County could serve an additional 125 children each month?

The time a child spends in child care is a period of growth and learning. Inadequate or substandard care can be detrimental to their development and potential. Some parents rely on child care subsidy to assist them in paying for the care of their children while they are working or going to school. This subsidy is critical in that it allows child care facilities the opportunity to meet the needs of each child and provide the best atmosphere possible for their care and protection. We are currently facing a crisis in that our subsidy reimbursement rate is so low as to prevent hundreds of families each year from receiving adequate care for their children, often leading to disastrous situations.