NORRISTOWN — October was recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Montgomery County as elected officials designated $1 million in federal COVID-19 relief dollars to further initiatives childcare initiatives for families impacted by domestic violence.
The Friday morning check presentation on the sixth floor of One Montgomery Plaza in downtown Norristown highlighted Project CARE, also known as the Childcare Access for Recovery Equity.
“This is such an important and worthwhile program. It is hard to overstate how valuable this initiative is or just how essential it is for our community,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Jamila Winder said in a statement.
Operated in conjunction with the county’s Prothonotary office, court care program, Laurel House, and Play & Learn early childhood centers, the program provides access to childcare, trauma-informed training and mental health support. The program has assisted 40 families so far to offer child care services before and after school as well as in the summer, according to a Montgomery County spokesperson.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic resulted in deeply troubling increases in domestic abuse,” Montgomery County Commissioners’ Vice Chairman Neil Makhija said in a statement.
“This program offers much-needed stability to parents and their young children,” he said. “We are very thankful to both Laurel House and Play & Learn for working together with the county to create environments for families where they can embark on a process of recovery.”
Montgomery County Commissioner Tom DiBello credited the partner agencies and stressed how the cash infusion “will make a big difference” to those in need.
“We know how hard it can be for those experiencing domestic violence to come forward and speak out,” DiBello said in a statement. “That’s why we are incredibly grateful to our community partners like Laurel House and Play & Learn. They are on the frontlines of this issue and do commendable work to make sure families are taken care of.”
The seven-figure monies were earmarked as part of the county’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funding. Laurel House can refer families to Project CARE assistance.
“By supporting these initiatives, we can help survivors reclaim their lives and provide brighter futures for their children,” Laurel House co-Executive Director Stacy Dougherty said in a statement.
“When families in crisis have access to childcare funding without needing to meet the typical work requirements for child care subsidized funding, the survivor has time to heal, recover, find sustainable work, and remain independent from their abuser,” Play & Learn CEO Kim Follett said in a statement.
The initiative offers trauma-informed care services for children of families who engage with the Prothonotary’s Office and court system for processing protection from abuse orders.
“No one should have to choose between safety and being able to afford childcare, or finding a reliable program for their children,” Montgomery County Prothonotary Noah Marlier said in a statement. “I’m so thankful for this ARPA funding and to Play & Learn for providing these scholarships for domestic violence survivors. I always say that we can’t make this process easy, but I hope through our initiatives we can make it easier.”
