NMTC, ACAP child care plan to aid students

PRESQUE ISLE – A partnership announced Monday between Northern Maine Technical College and the Aroostook County Action Program will allow more people to take evening college classes without having to worry about where to find a baby sitter.

Beginning in January, students taking evening credit or noncredit classes at NMTC sites in Presque Isle and Houlton will have access to child care at low or no cost.

“This creates a win-win-win situation for area residents, students of the college and taxpayers,” said William Egeler, dean of students at NMTC, in a press release. “By utilizing ACAP’s child and family services staff and facilities as the primary provider of the service, we have ensured the highest quality child care available in safe, convenient facilities, during a time of day when it has traditionally been difficult for students to access child care.”

An added bonus will be the opportunity for students enrolled in the college’s early childhood training program to gain more experience with children.

Sue Powers, child and family services program coordinator for ACAP, said the partnership also will allow that agency to expand service to others in the Presque Isle and Houlton areas by piggybacking on the NMTC project.

Noting that such an arrangement is cost-efficient for all involved, she said that if there is enough demand, ACAP might be able to expand the service into other locations.

For students studying early childhood education, the arrangement will provide them with experiences with children they might not otherwise have, said Karen Campbell-Sawyer, the program instructor.

“Children act differently at different times of the day,” she said. “This will give our students first-hand knowledge regarding those differences.”

Depending on demand, the child care centers will be open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the ACAP center on North Street in Houlton and at the former Gouldville School on Park Street in Presque Isle. The centers will serve children ages six weeks to 13 years.

Daytime child care services already are operated by ACAP at those sites, so “we’re using infrastructure that’s already in place,” Patricia Sutherland, NMTC director of college relations, said Monday.

Cost will vary from free to $5 per child per night, depending on family finances. The price includes a supper meal.

Computer and Internet services will be available at the sites, as will NMTC early childhood education students, to help children with homework.

“We’re trying to make it the next best thing to being home,” said Sutherland.

NMTC has received $40,000 to fund the project through a U.S. Department of Education Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant for the next four years, at the rate of $10,000 each year.

The long-term nature of the grant is good news for students who want to make a long-term commitment to their education.

“It’s not a one semester thing and then we’ll drop you,” Sutherland said, noting that child care often poses a major obstacle to people seeking more education.

People interested in the child care program must register for the services. Applications are available at the student affairs office at NMTC, the NMTC office at the Houlton Higher Education Center or from ACAP Child and Family Services.

Financial assistance is available to cover the nightly cost. A separate application is required.