Deadline looms for first responders, essential workers to apply for child care assistance

Palm Beach Post - 7/29/2020

<strong>TO OUR READERS: </strong> The Palm Beach Post will continue to provide essential coverage of the coronavirus for free. You can have coronavirus news delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for our Coronavirus Newsletter. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Post.

WEST PALM BEACH -- Child care assistance is available for children of first responders and other essential workers affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic -- but time to apply is running out.

As essential workers scramble for child care, this group steps up in unique way

The deadline to sign up for an Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County scholarship is Friday, the agency said.

More than 2,000 children of first responders, health care employees and other workers considered "essential" -- including grocery store, food, gas station and sanitation workers -- have been helped by the program. It was launched earlier this year as the pandemic gripped the country, throwing families in need of child care into chaos as numerous facilities closed.

"We are proud of that and want to serve more while we can," Early Learning Coalition CEO Warren Eldridge said.

Serena Williams donates 5,000 masks for local child care providers

Eligible families could receive financial help for 60 or 90 days, or more, the coalition reports.

The program is for workers with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. To apply, call 561-514-3300.

Virtual storytime events help kids keep learning at home

In addition to helping these families pay for child care, the coalition said it also can help locate facilities that are open and accepting new students. Placement help is available for all Palm Beach County residents. For more information, go to www.elcpalmbeach.org.

The Florida Department of Education, the Office of Early Learning, the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County and a private foundation are paying for the scholarships.

Wellington to offer free drive-in movies; see what's playing

The Early Learning Coalition also has worked to help child care facilities secure equipment for staff and students. After the coalition put a call out in April seeking more masks, tennis superstar Serena Williams, who donated 5,000 masks for local child care providers. Grassroots efforts also have provided masks to local facilities.

<strong>For more information:</strong>

– Florida Department of Health coronavirus web page

– CDC coronavirus web page

– Florida DOH coronavirus hotline (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday) is 866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov

kwebb@pbpost.com

@kristinawebb

___

Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at www.palmbeachpost.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.