ELIZABETHTOWN — Discovery of some extra funds by the Essex County Department of Social Services has rescued the After-School Program that was about to be cut for Moriah and Willsboro schools.
State funding had been abruptly shut down for the program, which serves elementary-age children, so it needed $31,000 in a hurry.
After some searching, Social Services found the money in its budget, Social Services Commissioner John O'Neill said Monday.
"This is from our special account in the general fund, to allow the program in Moriah and Willsboro to continue through the end of the school year, June 8."
Adirondack Community Action Programs operates the After-School Program, but many of those enrolled in it are from low-income families served by Social Services.
The program has 85 elementary school children enrolled from the two schools: 61 from Moriah and 24 from Willsboro. It covers grades pre-K to six with after-school educational activities and games.
ACAP Development Coordinator Marge Garcia had announced earlier this month that the program would close April 1 unless more money was found.
Although the program is open to every child, it is designed to help the less fortunate, Garcia said.
"We looked at low-income, working families; that's still our model. We're there to help these children in a lot of areas."
She said some of those in the program make the honor roll in their schools.
'IT'S A SHAME'
The program charges affordable fees, but those may have to be increased, ACAP Executive Director Alan Jones said.
Contracts for Elizabethtown and Westport, the other schools in the After-School Program, are not up until 2014, he said.
"We have multiple contracts with (State Office for) Children and Family Services. They decided not to renew for Moriah and Willsboro."
He said they'll be working to get funding for those sites for the 2012-13 school year.
"Once the other contracts come up, we'll be in the same situation," County Board of Supervisors Chair Randy Douglas (D-Jay) said.
"I think it's a very important program; it's a shame the state doesn't realize how important this program is."
'NEGATIVE IMPACT'
After-School Program Manager Marjorie Zmijewski said in a statement that there is a tremendous need for the program.
"Too many children are unsupervised between the time school ends and parents get home from work."
She said the After-School Program has "offered children a fun and positive after-school alternative for children to learn and grow since December 2000."
The program has been a great help to working parents, providing a safe and healthy environment for children, at little or no cost, Jones said.
He said it would have a negative impact on the children to cancel the program mid-year.
"This program is critical for working parents," Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said. "If this program goes away, you'll see a cost shift. Some people will have to quit their jobs because they can't afford care."
It may ultimately be up to Essex County fund the program if the state won't, Supervisor Roby Politi (R-North Elba) said.
"If the money is not put back in the (state) budget, the county will have to decide if it wants to do it."
Email Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
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