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Episcopal Children's Services reports higher enrollment after state eligibility change
Summary
Episcopal Children's Services told the board roughly 750 Putnam County children receive school readiness services year-to-date (about 549 low-income); VPK enrollment is 446. The agency said a state eligibility shift to 55% of state median income has expanded access and staff requested continued local match funding.
Brittany Spangler, representing Episcopal Children's Services, updated the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners on child-care programs and funding, reporting that about 750 Putnam County children are receiving school readiness services year-to-date, with roughly 549 of those from low-income families.
Spangler said 446 children are participating in the voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) program and 29 child-care sites currently contract to provide school readiness services (including 10 family child-care homes). She said the program has completed 1,203 child-care resource and referral contacts this year and is continuing enrollment and weekly funding notifications for eligible families.
A key change, Spangler said, is a state-adjusted eligibility threshold: on Oct. 1 the state moved from 150% of the federal poverty level to 55% of the state median income for program entry, increasing the number of families who qualify. Spangler described funding sources: school readiness is federally funded, VPK is state-funded (with a county 6% match required for VPK-related activities), and local support has included the county ($5,000), the City of Palatka (increased from $3,000 to $5,000) and United Way contributions (about $10,000, fluctuating).
Commissioners thanked the agency for transparency and asked how community members or businesses can support the local match; Spangler suggested donations, outreach through county events, and collaboration with local governments and nonprofits.
Why it matters: changes in eligibility and funding affect which families gain access to subsidized child care and VPK slots; commissioners indicated interest in continuing local support and outreach to raise awareness among eligible families.
The update was presented during the board's regular meeting; commissioners posed follow-up funding and outreach questions but no formal county funding vote occurred during this session.
