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Help available to pay school fees |
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Through the teamwork of several social service agencies in Union County, financial assistance is now available to income-eligible families for the purpose of paying basic school fees. Matching $750 grants from the United Way of Union County and the Union County Foundation have made money available to pick up the costs of extra materials, supplies, and lab fees. The Community Action Organization is administering the fund which totals $1,500. Case workers from four other partners; Consolidated Care, the Union County Board of MR/DD, the Union County Department of Job and Family Services, and the Union County Health Department; screen applicants and refer families for the funding. Since the program was established in November, nine families have received assistance totaling $421. Although the various school districts in the county have different policies regarding the collection of school fees, some families are still unable to cover this cost even when a payment schedule is available through the school district. “There are fees that are associated with lab work, and the general everyday activity fees that are necessary to get through school,” said Jim Cesa, Director of the Community Action Organization of Delaware, Madison, and Union Counties. When payment of school fees is not made by parents, students sometimes feel the ramifications. “If they’re not able to pay their school fees they might not be able to get report cards or they might not be able to participate in the picture taking process,” said Laura Zureich, Associate Director of the Union County Board of MR/DD. “I think the main thing for families is that they want their children to be able to fully participate in the complete school environment.” The program provides up to 90% of the assistance and parents are responsible for the remaining 10%. Assistance is paid directly to the school system. “I think it’s a wonderful effort on many agencies’ parts to collaborate for the benefit of children in our community,” Zureich said. “I’ve always been impressed with Union County and Marysville and the willingness of all of the entities involved to collaborate and work together.” |
| For more information, please contact the United Way of Union County at 644-8381 or by e-mail at unitedwayuc2@imetweb.net. |