September 1, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Alabama Child Care Consortium, coordinated by the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), has awarded more than $5 million in competitive grants to 11 Alabama child care management agencies for fiscal year 2000-2001, beginning October 1. The Consortium also has awarded more than $500,000 to five applicants for projects designed to improve the quality of childcare. Contracts awarded by the Consortium are funded by the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

In a request for proposals issued June 1, the Consortium provided child care providers and agencies the opportunity to submit, for the first time, competitive proposals to enhance the quality of child care in Alabama. “The quality of the future for Alabama’s families is directly linked to the adequate development of its youngest children,” says Craig Ramey, Ph.D., director of the UAB Civitan Center. “Quality child care and early education are essential for Alabama’s well being and social harmony.”

The consortium received 31 proposals for grants and awarded 11 contracts for childcare management services in the state’s 12 childcare management regions and five contracts for innovative projects to improve childcare quality in specific populations or regions of the state.

A recent 12-state study by the Urban Institute found Alabama had the highest percentage of children in center-based care. Alabama was second only to Mississippi in the number of hours spent by children under age 5 in non-parental care.

The Consortium, a collaborative effort of more than 1000 childcare providers, policymakers and business professionals, is designed to improve the quality of childcare in Alabama. “Grants for quality enhancement build on a long list of the Consortium’s accomplishments,” says Ramey. Activities of the Consortium include providing scholarships to child care directors and teachers for college tuition and research, and providing assistance to child care providers striving to meet national accreditation standards.

For more information, call Drs. Craig or Sharon Ramey, co-directors of the consortium, at (205) 975-0299. Or visit the Consortium’s Web site at www.circ.uab.edu.

Applicants receiving grants for child care management services:

1. Child care Education Resources, Inc., Huntsville — Richard Hardison, Executive Director, (256) 764-9381
   
   
2. Child care Resources, Birmingham — Margie Curry, Director, (205) 795-2301
   
   
3. Children's Services, Inc., Anniston — Kay Tolbert, Director, (256) 236-7548
   
   
4. Child Care Central, Talladega — Kati Dunn, Director, (256) 362-1390
   
   
5. Child Care Resource Center, Opelika — Carlyn Tucker, Director, (334) 749-8400
   
   
6. Family Guidance Center, Montgomery and Dothan — Jeanne Sellers, Director, (334) 244-0774
   
   
7. South Central Alabama CMA, Luverne — Janice Carter, Director, (334) 335-6626
   
   
8. Gulf Regional CMA, Mobile — Wendy McEarchern, Director, (334) 473-1060
   
   
9. Community Service of West AL, Demopolis — Terry Dillard, Director, (334) 289-5655
   
   
10. Child Development Resources, Tuscaloosa — Sally Edwards, Director, (205) 348-2650
    
    
11. Child care Resource Network, Fort Payne — Mary Davis, Director, (256) 845-8238

Applicants receiving grants for special projects to improve childcare quality:

1. Family HealthCare of Alabama, Eutaw — Dr. Sandral Hullett, Director, (205) 372-9225
   
   
2. Ready to Learn — Alabama Public Television, Birmingham — Nancy Hill, Ready to Learn Coordinator, (800) 239-5233
   
   
3. UCP of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc., Huntsville — Cheryl H. Smith, Executive Director, (256) 852-5600
   
   
4. Auburn University Montgomery/Family Guidance Center, Montgomery — Debbie Dahl, Program Manager, (334) 244-3339
   
   
5. Employers' Child Care Alliance, Opelika — Gail Piggott, Manager, (334) 749-8400