Local Daycare in Jeopardy Due to Gov’t Shutdown
This video is no longer available.
JACKSON, Tenn. — If the federal government doesn’t reach a deal soon, ABC Learning House in Jackson will have to close its doors. Laverne Curie says the uncertainty is putting her family in a bind. “Oh my god, what are these kids gonna do, what are the parents gonna do?” Curie said. Janice Curry owns the private daycare. Last week she got a letter from The Department of Human Services saying if the shutdown continues, Families First funding will expire. “It was a big shock to me because most of my parents are on Families First,” Curry said. Families First is a state welfare program to help needy families pay for child care. Parents who depend on Families First to pay for childcare say now that funding will possibly be cut, they have no idea where they’re going send their children now. Laverne Curie says she’s disabled and helping her daughter raise three kids. She also says they depend on affordable daycare groups like ABC Learning House. “This is their livelihood just like Ms. Janice said…they like coming here,” Curie said. “And for them to have anywhere else to go, just sitting at home they’re not gonna learn anything.” Laverne Curie says waiting on the government to make a decision is agonizing. “You have to pay $300 every week for this child and you got a bill that’s $300 or $400 then what you gone do?” Curie said. “You ain’t bringing home but $300 or $400.” If the shutdown continues, Families First funding will expire by the end of the year.
