Skagit Rotary has joined forces with the Mount Vernon School District, the Skagit Valley Family YMCA, Children of the Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County, and the Skagit Community Foundation to begin addressing the dire need for affordable childcare during these unprecedented times. Skagit Rotary has pledged $10,000 to the new Skagit COVID Childcare Coalition to provide seed money for the establishment of learning pods and childcare for area students.
All Skagit County Public School districts are engaging in remote learning models for the beginning of the school year. Many children throughout Skagit County have working parents and limited access to the internet. The Skagit COVID Childcare Coalition aims to create enough safe, affordable, childcare spots in small groups spread throughout the public school buildings to address some of this critical need for childcare.
Through our partnerships we have been able to identify child care opportunities that range from virtually free for some families that qualify to a full pay rate of $175 per week for others. We are working to open over 200 additional child care opportunities. "For 200 kids for 20 weeks, that's $700,000. And the need is greater than 200 kids," said Rotarian and Executive Director of Categorical Programs at the Mount Vernon School District Dan Berard.
Skagit Rotary is committed to helping youth in our area and abroad. If you would like more information or would like to explore how you might support the Skagit COVID Childcare Coalition with the mission of increasing affordable childcare options in Skagit County please contact Dan Berard at 1 (360) 333-1085.