Scholarship

The scholarship program was established in 1993 when the Department of Human Services (now known as the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services or ODJFS) began making cuts and freezing funds to low-income families. These families lost their childcare subsidies; however, their income was not substantial enough to cover the cost of childcare. Many parents found themselves working just to pay for childcare. During 1993, nearly 50% of the Linden School's children were affected by these cuts and freezes, and some parents were forced to leave their jobs to stay home with their children. With the help of the Nord Family Foundation and the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation, the Linden School Scholarship program began. During 2005, the program has provided tuition subsidy and support to 39 children. Without this program these children would not have been able to continue enrollment at the center.

The goal of the Linden School Scholarship Program is to give low-income working families of Lorain County the opportunity to continue working or return to the work force by providing high quality childcare at a subsidized cost. These families do not qualify for childcare subsidy through ODJFS, but their income is not sufficient to pay for childcare. The program is designed specifically for families who meet or exceed the federal poverty guideline minimum.

We firmly believe the existence and continuation of the Scholarship Program impacts our community in three ways:

  1. The families of these children remain gainfully employed and a viable part of their community.
  2. The children continue to be enrolled in a high-quality program that provides them with an educational and social head start in a nurturing environment.
  3. The families receive support and education to cope with the stress of functioning through financial and social transition.

The Scholarship Program allows many of our families to remain in our center, which helps the center maintain a low enrollment turnover ratio. This is one of the best ways to measure the success of the program.

The Scholarship Program is currently funded by the Nord Family Foundation and the United Way of Greater Lorain County.