One of the key barriers to maintaining sustainable employment is access to affordable child care. In a bold move, United Way of Butler County partnered with the Butler County Children's Center and local child care providers to establish, fund, and administer the Child Care Scholarship Fund. The fund provides a new charitable investment opportunity for business and community members looking for real results that benefit the local economy. Taking this program out of the mix of regular funding also opens up additional dollars for investments in other programs.

Currently in Butler County, Child Care Information Services (CCIS), operated by the Butler County Children's Center, administers federal and state aid for low-income families. At any given time, there are approximately 75 eligible families on the waiting list for child care in Butler County. Our goal is to eliminate the waiting list as well as provide assistance to families who may just exceed the maximum income guidelines. Recent government cuts to CCIS further challenge our efforts to help parents get or keep their jobs.

The Child Care Scholarship program will be managed by CCIS, with oversight provided by a community committee that will monitor the use of funds and the program results. There will be no United Way administrative costs applied or taken from this fund. Our goal is to serve at least 50 families for an average of 58 days of care at $20 per day, therefore establishing a goal of raising $65,000 or more for the fund for this year. Families may use the scholarships at any licensed day care center in Butler County.

The first 15 gifts of $1,000 will be matched by generous contributions from Rex Energy, Lawrence Timmons of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and an anonymous donor. Gifts of $1,000 or more will be named “Founders of the Child Care Scholarship Fund.”

“At the end of the day you know that you're doing your part to take care of your family.”

Rex Energy - $5,000Lawrence Timmons - $5,000Anonymous - $5,000Farmers National Bank - $1,500Anonymous - $500Additional Gifts Received From:Center for Community ResourcesLisa M. GuardWhispering Winds KennelWomen United of Butler County