Child care referral stays put at Volunteer Richmond
MetroValley Newspaper Group -- Richmond Review
19 Apr 2007

The local non-profit agency that helps thousands of families with daycare issues each year will continue to provide that service, Volunteer Richmond announced Tuesday.

In January, Volunteer Richmond Information Services, which operates the local Child Care Resource and Referral Program, was informed of the province's plans to gradually claw back funding for the province-wide program. It had announced the program would discontinue due to the cutbacks.

In late February, the province changed its mind as Minister of State for Childcare Linda Reid announced that funding would be maintained at $9 million-- down from the original $14 million but well above the $3 million level that was expected to come into effect in October. ..

... "There are some changes to be made, there's some reorganizing of services and programs...We never closed entirely, so we're just happy to be doing what we should be doing in the community."

Specht said the reduced funding of the program will force some cutbacks in staffing levels.

"This was never about us. This is about the need in the community and I think what was voiced very strongly...from the community, from the city, from council was that services such as this and other child care programs are needed in our community and in our province." ...

Coun. Bill McNulty said he wasn't surprised that Victoria opted to maintain funding levels for the referral program at $9 million, although he would have liked to see it restored to the $14 level.

Linda Reid was not available for comment by press time Wednesday.