Philanthropy
Childcare training program underway in Tuscaloosa

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Childcare training program underway in Tuscaloosa
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – The lack of adequate childcare is one of the biggest barriers facing people who want to work but aren’t right now. That’s why groups in west Alabama have formed a new partnership to make those services more readily available.
Orientation for a new program called 3 By 3 started this week, and organizers hope it creates more childcare opportunities for parents who need it for their kids so they can go to work.
The free four-to-six week program is organized through a partnership between the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Shelton State Community College, and others.
They started a program that tries to address the biggest barriers to workforce transportation – childcare, transportation, and affordable housing.
“If we have a mom with young children who can’t find childcare, struggles a little bit making rent, or doesn’t have reliable transportation herself, if we’re able to get her set up as a childcare providers, now her rent is stable because she’s working from home. And then it provides an opportunity for four or five mor children to enter into care with her and allow their families to enter into the workforce,” explained Holly Glasgow, the Shelton State Community College Director of Child Development.
They will train participants what to know before applying for a license from DHR to provide childcare services.
They’ll also do home visits so those places are ready for health and safety visits, help with paperwork, and then the DHR visits themselves.