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Clinton County revises Extension contract with Purdue, names new extension director as community group works to keep CORE childcare open
Summary
County leaders finalized a county-specific addendum to the Purdue Extension contract that creates a refund mechanism if key Extension positions remain unfilled; Amy Webster was introduced as the new county extension director and local leaders said they are working to maintain childcare services after CORE closed, affecting about 40 children.
County officials reported at the March meeting that they have negotiated a county-specific addendum to the Purdue Extension contract that, for the first time in local practice, creates a refund mechanism if key Extension positions remain unfilled and services drop below agreed levels.
The addendum, county officials said, requires any refund recouped by the county to be set aside for future local Extension use (for example, building repairs or program needs) rather than being used to subsidize statewide extension operations. Officials said the addendum addresses concerns raised after multiple long vacancies in key Extension positions reduced services in recent years.
Dee, speaking as county staff overseeing Extension programming, announced Amy Webster as the county's new Extension director. Webster introduced herself on the record as the agricultural educator for Clinton and Carroll counties and said she looks forward to supporting programming and increasing office efficiency after a recent office move.
Separately, council members and staff raised an urgent community-service concern: CORE, a local childcare provider, has closed services this week and about 40 children are currently affected. County leaders said a group is working to maintain childcare coverage through June, including a plan for Saint Matthew West to provide childcare beginning in June, and that they are working with banks and CORE board members to provide interim coverage for families.
Council members requested staff follow up and report back with options to replace or supplement services to meet child-care demand during the coming months.
