BHC’s recent innovation to provide continued child care opportunities to low income children should be applauded.
For many years BHC has operated a day care center that provides day care to community residents of Birmingham regardless of their ability to pay.
The day care, which received no federal, state or local funding, had been provided by BHC even though it had never broken even financially.
“You must find ways to break even and provide a needed service,” says Jimmy Lacey, CEO of BHC. Through the collaboration with Lee Loder’s faith based child care center, the Board of Directors feels it has done that and as a result, will continue to provide a great service and will continue to fill the gap in affordable health care.
The child care center which has provided over 2 million dollars in free child care will continue to provide free child care to those who are truly indigent. Those who can pay for their child care will pay. Those who qualify that they can’t pay won’t have to pay.
Recent News reports that the child care is closing are untrue.
“BHC’s child care is not closing. It has matured to a 21st Century model”, says Flora Blackledge, BHC Board Chairperson. The child care center will continue to operate in the same building and at the same hours it has been for 15 years. “We even have the same phone number” says Loder.
“We are proud of this collaboration”, she says. “It just makes common sense”, says Board chairperson, Blackledge.
The fully licensed day care will continue to provide a tremendous service to several dozen families every day. Those seeking innovative child care should contact Adrianne Loder at phone number 205-821-3115.
The participants enrolled in the daycare, as well as their families, will continue to qualify for health and dental care at Birmingham Health Care regardless of their ability to pay.
