Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce members heard from Rae Gremillion with Volunteers of America during their monthly meeting Wednesday. She explained how Volunteers of America is helping communities in 15 parishes in Louisiana by providing resources to Type 3 Childcare Centers like Kids World in Ville Platte. A Type 3 childcare center is one that is able to accept state and federal funds to assist poverty stricken families with childcare. Volunteers of America focuses on providing the same curriculum, materials, resources and training that other childcare centers have in order to bridge the learning gap. They are dependent on donations from businesses to help be able to provide the materials.
She explained the School Readiness Tax Credit that many people do not know about. If you have a business and you contribute up to $5,000.00 to the America’s Partnership in Child Care program, the State will reimburse your business dollar-to-dollar for your donation. If your business owes taxes, the State will deduct the amount of your donation from amount that you owe. Even if your business does not owe state taxes or if your donation exceeds your tax bill, the State will reimburse you in the form of a refund. Gremillion said their organization has never been able to get help from Evangeline Parish and it only helps the Parish by putting those funds into the Type 3 childcare centers. Bridging the learning gap helps lower crime later in life as well as drop-out rates. Only 54% of children entering kindergarten are academically and developmentally ready to succeed. If your business would like to donate and receive the tax credit, please call 337-234-5715.
It was also announced that the new UL Athletic Director, Bryan Maggard, will be visiting Evangeline Parish on June 27th. Maggard replaced Scott Farmer and will be visiting the KVPI studios, Chamber of Commerce and other area businesses.
Mable Foreman announced the 9th year of the Evangeline Parish Coalition will hold its Health Fair at the Northside Civic Center on July 29th from 10:00 a.m. until they run out of supplies. Parents can come and bring their children to collect school supplies. They will also be provided with lunch.
The next Chamber meeting will be held on July 19, 2017 at Noon
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