ACAP Head Start Childcare Center to reopen under new management as ‘The Lighthouse’
Published 10:42 am Wednesday, August 31, 2016
For the Reporter
Following news that Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) is making major budget cuts to childcare programs across the region and reducing Head Start funding for 399 children, Auburn Youth Resources’ childcare center, ACAP Childcare and Family Services, will be under new management as of Thursday.
The center lost funding for half of its Head Start participants in late June.
“This was a devastating cut to our ability to run this program and we are so sad that we are unable to continue to operate ACAP Childcare,” said Sylvia Fuerstenbeg, AYR executive director.
ACAP started in Auburn in 1970 as Auburn Christian Action Program Daycare, which provided safe and affordable childcare so low-income families could stay or become employed. Since 2011, Auburn Youth Resources has operated ACAP at First United Methodist Church.
Gap funding was provided to ACAP for the summer from PSESD while AYR management remained committed to finding another provider to take over the center. Thankfully, services to local families will continue. The Lighthouse Child Development Center, a nonprofit organization, will take over operations of the programs under the direction of Decca Calloway, an experienced educator in Head Start programming.
“I am so excited that we are able to carry forward the great work ACAP staff have been doing in our community for over 40 years,” Calloway explained.
The facility resumes operation at First United Methodist Church under its new name on Friday, and enrollment is now open to new families. Current participants will continue to receive services as long as payment of childcare fees are maintained.
For more information on The Lighthouse Child Development Center, contact Decca Calloway at 253-939-0870.
Auburn Youth Resources
Since 1973, Auburn Youth Resources has been providing services for the low-income and under-served children, youth and families of South King and North Pierce Counties. AYR is an established regional provider of mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, homeless services, and believes that every young person should be given the opportunity to grow and progress to their fullest potential.
Learn more at www.ayr4kids.org.
