Child-care center expected to make mothers’ job-training program easier

Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 | 9:15 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- Mothers receiving public assistance who are required to undergo job training will now be able to bring their children along in Las Vegas.

The state Welfare Division said Thursday it will open a child-care center in the same building where it conducts its training program, at 701 N. Rancho Drive.

Jerry Allen, coordinator for child care in the division, said the new center will be able to handle up to 44 children and he expects most of them to be between birth and 5 years old.

Mothers currently must find placement for their children during the required training. The state does pay for that child care.

Under the new program, Allen said, the Economic Opportunity Board will run a "Head-Start" program in conjunction with the child-care center at the Professional Development Center. The city of Las Vegas donated $30,000 for playground equipment.

The new child-care facility is to be dedicated 9 a.m. Tuesday by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

The training center now provides adult basic education, personal and financial management, vocational skills and customized job training programs. Welfare mothers also can participate in a six-week child-care training program.

After six weeks the mother-trainees are placed in private child-care centers in an apprenticeship program, Allen said. After two years, they receive national certification as child-care providers.