The Albert Lea Community Child Care Center strives to meet the needs of the community by providing quality child care that encourages individual development in a safe, nurturing environment. The ALCCCC program spans the entire Freeborn County and some surrounding communities; it involves all income levels and all family types. There are generally 250 children in participation.

The ALCCCC does not receive federal or state funding. It is completely funded by private sources. Some of the families receive subsidies from the Department of Human Services, but if they don’t qualify for these subsidies, the program offers a sliding fee scale which allows the family to pay a smaller percentage of the total fee, based on their annual income.

The $40,000 we receive from the United Way goes strictly towards the sliding fee and the sibling discount. Kristin Houg, director of the ALCCCC, commented that though the program receives some volunteer help with painting, filling sand-boxes and various other chores at the Center, &uot;ultimately, the monetary donation is what we need to keep the sliding fee scale.&uot; She said that the families really depend on the United Way and the sliding fee scale for assistance.

Last year there were so many families in need of assistance that the ALCCCC &uot;overspent&uot; these funds. If not for the United Way, the ALCCCC could not offer the sliding fee scale at all, thus making child care and learning opportunities too expensive for many families.

Contact the United Way if you are interested in making a donation, 373-8670 or write to: The United Way, 341 S. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea, MN 56007.