Alliance for Women and Children

The Issues

In West Central Texas, the high cost of child care and low availability of child care scholarships keep many children from low to middle income families from securing safe, healthy and nurturing care. The "working poor" represent a large portion of those unable to secure care for their children. Considered "too rich" to qualify for government subsidies but "too poor" to afford care on their own, child care remains out of reach for many of those most in need.

Over 45 percent of the families participating in the Alliance After-School Care program receive some form of financial assistance or scholarships. In 2006, over $100,000 in scholarships and financial assistance was provided.

Program Profile

Alliance After-School Care is an after-school program designed for children in AISD elementary schools, Buffalo Gap Elementary School, Eula Elementary School and the Pre-K program at Woodson Head Start and Locust. Serving an average of 620 children a day, Alliance After-School Care, children enjoy arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor playtime, homework time, and a snack. Trained staffs at each school offer a safe and nurturing environment during the critical after-school hours (3:15 pm-6:00 pm). The program maintains affordability without sacrificing quality of care and education.

Licensed through the Texas Department of Protective and Regulator Services, Department of Child Care Licensing, Alliance After-School Care meets standards that include criminal back ground checks on employees, minimum staff to child ratios, specific training for providers, and at least one employee certified in First Aid/CPR at every site.

Impact:

Over 45% of those in the after-school program receive some form of financial assistance. This enables parents to continue to work and/or to attend classes to further their education while keeping their child or children in a safe, quality environment. Additionally, we work with the Noah Project, Abilene Independent School District, and FaithWorks to identify families that need our assistance.

Demographics:

Ages	Gender	Ethnicity
0-4	Female: 56%	African American: 9%
5-12	Male: 44%	Asian: 1%
		Caucasian: 52%
		Hispanic: 30%
		Other: 8%