EXCERPT FROM: The Courier Journal
By Stephenie Steitzer
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky will receive $4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for training and other resources for child-care providers.
He said in a statement that $2 million will be used to fund training that emphasizes education and development for infants and toddlers.
“Child care is one of the fundamentals of the state's economy,” Beshear said. “Without it, parents couldn't work, seek employment or receive an education or job training.”
The money also will be used to pay for distance-learning opportunities, which makes training more accessible to child care providers throughout the state.
In addition, it will support a partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky on the “Never Shake a Baby” initiative; purchase child booster seats to be distributed by the Department for Public Health; and promote STARS for KIDS Now, a voluntary quality-rating system for child care centers.
The state subsidizes child care for more than 42,000 Kentucky children.
Janet Masterson, assistant director of the non-profit Community Coordinated Child Care, said more money to train child-care providers is always needed.