PR2000 Jan 4

From Tuscaloosa News

Jan 4 2000, p 5A

By Shannon Thomason, staff writer

Grant to Help Train Students in Childcare

The two-year grant will allow Shelton State to train 20 childcare workers each semester from Tuscaloosa, Bibb, Hale, Greene or Sumter counties.

Tuscaloosa – Shelton State’s Child Development Center has been awarded a $78,615 grant to train students who want to work in, or own, childcare centers.

Experts predict that the need for childcare will continue to grow as more former welfare recipients enter the workforce, as federal law now requires.

That growth, they say, should result in new jobs over the next few years, which will create a need for well-trained workers.

Carolyn Edwards, director of the Child Development Center, calls it a “learning lab” for students who want to work with children or run their own day care centers.

Students studying nursing for special education also use the nationally accredited center for training, Edwards said.

Governor Don Siegelman commended the college for the program.

“Students will be trained not only to obtain jobs and move off welfare rolls, but also to educate and care for children,” Siegelman said.

            The grant was awarded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, which was founded by Congress in 1965.  The commission’s goal is to support economic and social development in the Appalachian Region.

            The grant money will be used to expand training in childcare and entrepreneur programs, and to pay for books, tuition, supplies and new equipment for the children.

            Nearly 100 students interact with 45 children enrolled at the multicultural center, which accommodates children from several different countries, said Rick Rogers, assistant to the president at Shelton.

            “It’s similar to a daycare,” Rogers said. “Anyone can enroll their children.”

The two-year grant, which will allow Shelton State Community College to train 20 childcare workers each semester, specifies that workers must be from Tuscaloosa, Pickens, Bibb, Hale, Greene or Sumter counties, said Fran Viselli, Welfare to Work program coordinator at Shelton State.

            Viselli said the program is important for Tuscaloosa and other West Alabama counties because childcare needs are “incredible,” and there aren’t other accredited childcare programs at any nearby community colleges.

            “This program will allow students to spend their time not only taking classes, but working in the center, and they can develop their business plan to open their center,” Viselli said.

            The program is assisted by the Job Training Partnership Act, which will provide $152,500 for student scholarships.  Shelton will offer 58,000 in matching funds, Viselli said.