Mesa
County – The critical need for child care providers in Mesa County could also
offer employment opportunities for someone interested in completing the
training and passing the required background checks.
According
to Melissa Schierland, Self Sufficiency Supervisor with the Mesa County
Department of Human Services, there are two ways to become a child care provider.
Most people are aware of Licensed Childcare but there are also Qualified Providers.
Qualified Provider training and
background checks take approximately 30 days. A Qualified child care provider is exempt from
licensing and may care for one non – relative family. Becoming a Qualified Provider is a good
bridge to allow someone to care for a child while they prepare to become fully
licensed or it can serve as an income source for some providing care for a
friend or relative. Schierland says “We are hoping to build a referral list of
safe qualified child care providers as an alternative to our working parents
that are on a waiting list at one of our licensed child care homes or centers.”
Each the
Licensed and the Qualified Providers have benefits that someone can adjust to
their own situation. We are encouraging anyone who has ever considered doing in
home child care to attend the Child Care Providers Resource Fair next week and
learn about the details and supports available to make the decision to do child
care. Schierland says
“If cost is a concern, we have scholarship money available to offset the costs
of background checks.”
A Child Care
Providers Resource Fair is being offered to answer questions to encourage
residents to consider offering child care. The Resource Fair will be on Feb. 25
at from 3pm to 7pm at the Mesa County Workforce Center. Various Early Childhood
organizations will have information available for people to find out how to
become a child care provider. Scholarship money is also being offered to help
defray the costs of background checks. Each of the participating organizations will
have information ranging from how to begin offering care, to licensing to
education.
For more
information on the Resource Fair, becoming a child care provider or to find
child care call Western Colorado 211 by dialing 211.
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