Juniata County Child Care Centers May Be Forced To Shut Down

There is a daycare dilemma in Juniata County. Dozens of families are in danger of losing child care services. It is all because of an issue between the state Department of Labor and Industry and the Juniata County Child Care and Development Agency.

Sonbeam Early Learning Center in McAlisterville is one of about twenty-five facilities in jeopardy. The daycare hasn't received state subsidized payments for the past two months.


"We have loans right now that we're functioning on, but you can't continue taking out loans if you don't have a way to pay them back," said Gabby Fisher, Director of Sonbeam Early Learning Center.

Fisher says the Department of Labor and Industry put a block on the money because of an unemployment compensation dispute dating back to 2005. She says the problem involved some Head Start workers, not the people currently running daycares across the county.

"We are getting penalized for something we are not involved in at all and that is really wrong," said Fisher.

If the state dollars don't start flowing again, Sonbeam may have to shut its doors, at least to low-income families.

"I have to work, between the mortgage, car payment, the whole running a family thing," said Tammy Brackbill, who has 4 children attending Sonbeam.

"They are going to have to depend on grandmas and friends. The kids are going to be bounced from one place to another and that is not good for children, they need a consistent, steady environment," said Brenda Renno, who runs a family child care center.

Christopher Manlove, Deputy Press Secretary with the Department of Labor and Industry released the following statement:

"Before the JCCCD can receive payment, they must enter into a contract with the Department of Public Welfare. To receive that contract, the JCCCD must obtain a tax clearance certificate from the Department of Labor & Industry. We are working with the JCCCD, and their local legislators, to help them resolve an ongoing unemployment tax issue that would permit them to receive that tax clearance certificate."