FARGO (KFGO-KVRR) — Local childcare providers say the freeze of federal funding for daycare centers say that is going to cause major problems.
Staff at Sheyenne Learning Academy in West Fargo say 60% of families at the center rely on those federal dollars for childcare.
“People are on assistance, because they need it,” said Alexis, Employee Relations at Sheyenne Learning Academy in West Fargo. “They’re on assistance because they can’t afford it and now they’re not going to be able to have that… They aren’t going to be able to afford it.”
Learn and Move Child Care Center in Fargo says 44% of families that use the provider rely on federal assistance to afford childcare. Lead Teacher Mackenzie Wika says the thought of families losing childcare doesn’t sit right.
“These kids are my life. I wake up every morning ready to see these kids,” Wika said. “The thought that, if we don’t get the funding and the kids don’t show up, the kids that I see every day, I may never ever see again. That’s heartbreaking.”
The funding freeze is in response to allegations of widespread fraud in Minnesota. Federal officials say states will get the money once they prove it will be spent legitimately. It’s unclear how that process will work.
Comments