Keyzone YMCA reports shrinking wait lists, site-by-site capacity limits and CCAP usage
Summary
Keyzone YMCA reported reduced wait lists at several Duluth sites after program adjustments, explained site capacity and staffing constraints (1:15 ratios), and said roughly 50–80 families across programs use CCAP assistance; board members thanked the partner and asked follow-up questions about enrollment and CCAP outreach.
The Duluth YMCA's Keyzone after-school program told the school board Thursday that wait-list pressures have eased at several sites and described how space and staffing determine capacity at each school.
Kate Corbett, Keyzone's out-of-school-time director, said changes such as an immersion-program switch at Lowell moved families into other sites and eliminated a Lowell wait list that had been as high as nearly 70. At Myers-Wilkins, registration rose from 39 to 110 and the waitlist fell to six; Corbett said they can currently accommodate those families. Corbett gave a programwide range for CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) usage, saying roughly 50–80 families across the association use CCAP and that only about 10% of after-school families at some sites rely on the subsidy.
Board members asked whether paperwork or administrative barriers deter families from using CCAP. Corbett said the application process can be a deterrent and that Keyzone brings county staff to open houses to help families complete paperwork. The YMCA also described site caps driven by space and staffing (examples: some sites cap near 200; Stowe could take more youth but lacks registrations and staff to meet 1:15 ratios).
Board members thanked the YMCA for its partnership and noted that a pending combination of the Duluth and Superior YMCA organizations will strengthen regional services. The board asked for follow-up information on capacity and CCAP outreach strategies.
Next steps: YMCA agreed to provide additional enrollment and CCAP-detail follow-up for board members' questions.
