Commissioners deny After School Program funding

MONTROSE  — The Montrose County Commissioners denied funding Monday for the Montrose Elementary After School Program, which is facing a $25,000-plus shortfall. However, a county Health and Human Services’ program may be able to help.

“There are no general funds available,” Commissioner Bill Patterson said.

After school program Director Erica Jiron requested $5,000 from the commissioners Monday morning during their regular session to help defray the program’s $25,039 budget crunch for 2008. During the meeting, Jiron presented the commissioners with the information on the program and why it needs funds.

The program serves an average of 532 students a week from Montrose’s five elementary school. Each day it provides students with a snack and a range of programs including homework help, Spanish, arts, and computer literacy.

The shortfall is a result of “parents’ inability to pay,” Jiron said.

Up until 2006, the program was funded by a 21st Century grant. Some of those funds carried over into the 2006-07 year, however since then, the program has had to fund itself, Jiron said.

It is a fee-based program. The amount parents pay depends on the number of days their child attends and if they qualify for free or reduced lunch through Montrose County School District Re-1J. Sixty-four percent of the total number of attendees in the program qualify for reduced fees. As of Monday, the program enrollment was at 1,946 students in grades one through five.

“If everyone paid a full rate we’d be OK,” Jiron said.

However, many parents can’t or don’t pay, as there is no recourse if they don’t. The program also provides scholarships for families who demonstrate financial need.

Commissioner Allan Belt said he sees the program as a “subsidized daycare.” Although he supports its mission, he does not support county funding.

“I’m not certain it’s the county’s job to fund these type of things,” he said.

Jiron told commissioners that the program provides a safe, structured environment for students after school while parents are at work. This is important, she said, because an average 2.5 children are reported during the school day to Montrose County Health and Human Services for abuse and neglect.

The program not only provides a safe place, but also allows parents to work, as many residents travel outside Montrose for their jobs, Jiron said.

Peg Mewes, director of MCHHS, told commissioners she would see if TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) funding could be used for the program. She said she is checking with federal entities to see if it can be done. The program uses federal money to support working families. Mewes said $5,000 is “very little” of the TANF’s total funding. However, most of the money has already been allocated.

Jiron said she is seeking funding elsewhere to cover 2008’s shortfall and will work over the summer to secure long-term larger grants for the future.

Thursday, the city will give $2,500 to the program. The council approved the donation during a March 20 regular meeting. Mayor David White will present the check at 5:30 p.m. at Pomona Elementary, the program’s current location.