After School Specials
When school bells ring each day for dismissal, children scatter to various spots. Home, day care centers and recreational facilities represent typical destinations.
But selecting those sites is tricky: Parents often must do homework themselves to find a match for their needs and budget.
"I really do need something where I know my kids are safe and getting their homework done," said Elka Philpot of Butler Township, whose sons Isaiah, 10, and Donovan, 8, attend an after school program at the Salvation Army on Cunningham Street.
Unlike many after school offerings, the Salvation Army program is free — another consideration for Philpot, a single parent whose income barely exceeds the maximum allowed for some types of assistance.
"It wouldn't pay to work if you're going to put out $400 or $500 for child care a month," Philpot said.
Renee Keene, who began running the Salvation Army after school program last year, said easing financial stress is only part of her goal. She also has been working to shift the program focus from recreation to study, maintaining daily designated homework time until 4:45 p.m. Books and educational games are available through 5:30 p.m., when the program closes.
"We're in the process of (installing) a computer lab," Keene said, explaining her plan to participate in public school accelerated reader programs.
Although adults who staff the program must meet certain criteria, including passing background checks, the program itself is among many not licensed by the state.
After school programs through Cranberry Township Parks and Recreation and Slippery Rock Area Parks and Recreation also are unlicensed but offer similar structured activities.
In Cranberry, children in the Seneca Valley School District can ride a bus to the township municipal center, where families pay $30 per month if their child attends one day each week and additional fees if they attend more often. Activities include homework time, games and crafts.
The Slippery Rock program, called Playsafe, offers similar activities before and after school in three elementary schools, where parents pay $3.25 hourly for the first child and $3 each for siblings.
The YMCAs in Butler and Cranberry Township operate similar in-school programs in the morning and afternoon. Programming also is available at the Butler County Family YMCA in Butler for youths at Emily Brittain Elementary, within walking distance of the facility.
Unlike many recreation centers, the Y programs are licensed through the state Department of Public Welfare and therefore included in a database at Childcare Information Services of Butler, which offers child care referrals and other services.
Families that fall within income guidelines are eligible to apply for tuition assistance for child care at the Y and various other approved day care facilities. Brian Steighner, CCIS director, said about 130 Butler County children currently are on a waiting list to receive the subsidies.
At the Y programs, unsubsidized tuitions range between $70 to $86 per week for before and after school care, and $55 to $76 to attend part-time.
Francine Mills, senior child care director for both Ys, said the programs offer homework supervision and participate in the voluntary Keystone STARS program, a rating system based on staff education, learning environment, leadership management and family and community partnerships.
Like many programs already listed, the Y maintains a ratio of about 12 children per adult.
"Individuals working here are people who have either gone to school or are going to school for education or have a deep life interest with children.
They have to have certain qualifications to be an employee," she said.Also similar to many other facilities, tuition doesn't cover salaries, food or equipment required to operate the programs."It's fulfilling our mission," Mills added. "We are a community service agency. We serve the needs of the community through child care."Although many community programs are offered full-time and geared toward children in kindergarten through sixth grade, other opportunities are available on a part-time basis or offer programming for youths in middle and high school.The Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Center on Fairground Hill Road offers tutoring and homework help by appointment and one-time activities throughout the year.Libraries and churches also can be a resource. According to youth services librarian Peter Bess, the Butler Public Library offers a teen game day from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month."It's focused on junior highers because they're right next door," Bess said, noting about 15 teens showed up at the first event Sept. 18.At nearby United Methodist Church, youth ministers also are targeting the junior high students. According to outreach coordinator Matt Dreher, the church is busy upgrading the former Knights of Columbus building on East North Street, where an after school basketball ministry began last week."We purchased the building in the spring," Dreher said, explaining that by winter the main floor upgrades should be complete and open after school to youths."We're hoping to get a stage, couches, media center, and we're putting cafe in. In winter we want to set up archery range," he added."We see the kids coming out of school and from that time of 2:30 to 5 — maybe their parents aren't home," he said.For parents seeking care for elementary school youths, Steighner said the CCIS database contains more than 70 facilities classified as child care centers, family day cares or group homes, depending on their maximum capacity.For more information on those sites or CCIS services, call 724-285-9431 or 888-864-1654.
