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14
<br />MORE FAMILIES TO GET HELP
<br />WITH CHILD CARE COSTS
<br />"The Anoka County Board recognizes that one
<br />of the barriers to self - sufficiency for low - income
<br />households is the cost of child care," said Margaret
<br />Langfeld, Anoka County Commissioner and chair of
<br />the Human Services Committee. "So, we're pleased
<br />to be able to expand our child care assistance program
<br />to include financial help for many more families."
<br />More than $5 million was designated by the
<br />Minnesota Legislature for child care assistance through
<br />2002. The amount is $788,000 more than an earlier
<br />grant. the increased funding will be used to help Anoka
<br />County families already on a waiting list and new
<br />applicants who qualify through 2002. The child care
<br />assistance program helps parents pay for the cost of
<br />child care. Families will continue to pay a portion of
<br />child care cost depending on their annual income. "This
<br />program can help many of our residents who have child
<br />care expenses but who have not yet applies for
<br />assistance." said Langfeld. "I encourage them to take
<br />advantage ofthe money available to them."
<br />The Anoka County Child Care Assistance
<br />program provides child care subsidies to county low -
<br />income families who are working, attending school, or
<br />searching for a job. the annual income limit for eligible
<br />families to receive child care assistance on a sliding -fee
<br />basis is:
<br />Family Size
<br />2
<br />3
<br />4
<br />Annual Income Limit
<br />Under $34,000
<br />Under $42,000
<br />Under $50,000
<br />"Qualifying families with preschool children can
<br />realize significant benefits," said Langfeld. For example,
<br />the cost of child care for two - parent working family,
<br />with a gross annual income of $43,680, and two
<br />preschool children, could be $900 to $1,464 each
<br />month. With Anoka County child care assistance, this
<br />family would pay $491, saving more than $500 a month,
<br />or $6,000 a year. A single, working month with two
<br />preschool children, making $18,720 a year ($9 /hour),
<br />would pay just $43 a month or $516 a year.
<br />County parents who meet these income
<br />guidelines, are working, going to school or searching
<br />for a job - and would like help paying for child care -
<br />should call 763 - 717 -7730 for more information.
<br />Be kind to unkind people
<br />RADON DETECTORS FREE TO COUNTY
<br />RESIDENTS
<br />Anoka County Community Health and Environmental
<br />Services will supply indoor radon detectors to county residents
<br />at no charge. Radon in a naturally occurring, radioactive,
<br />chemically inert gas.
<br />In response to a number of inquires about radon testing,
<br />the Anoka County Community Health and Environmental
<br />Services Department will provide two types of radon test kits
<br />to county residents. The department is supplying the detectors
<br />courtesy of a State Indoor Radon Grant sponsored by the
<br />Minnesota Department of Health. Environmental Services
<br />expects to have both long -term and short -term radon test kits
<br />available. If the radon kit requires more than 90 days for testing,
<br />it is a long -term kit. If less than 90 days, it is a short -term kit.
<br />Some ofthe test kits are renewable, extending their availability.
<br />"Testing for radon is recommended by the EPA," said
<br />Marina McManus, director of Anoka County Community
<br />Health and Environmental Services. "Breathing radon does not
<br />cause any short -term health effects and not everyone exposed
<br />to elevated levels of radon will develop health problems.
<br />However, radon can be a factor in lung cancer so measuring
<br />the level of radon can be important. The good news is that if
<br />home radon levels are found to be elevated, they can be reduced,
<br />often by relatively inexpensive means."
<br />One type of detector Anoka County Environmental
<br />Services will distribute randomly throughout the county is a long-
<br />term, one -use type. These will help the county determine if
<br />there is any relationship between surface geology and radon
<br />levels. The information gathered from these detectors will be
<br />used to better understand the presence of radon in county
<br />residences. On a first -come, first- served basis, a short -term
<br />and reusable radon detector will also be distributed to residents
<br />at no charge.
<br />"Radon concentration in the soil varies from location to
<br />location depending on a number of factors that have to do with
<br />the soil type, depth of soil above bedrock and the mineral
<br />composition of the bedrock," said Margaret Langfeld, Anoka
<br />County Commissioner. "It typically moves up and through the
<br />ground into homes through cracks and other openings in the
<br />floor and foundation. The good news is that radon is not known
<br />to be prevalent in Anoka County, but radon has been found in
<br />every state in the U.S., so using these kits will help put families
<br />at ease."
<br />Anoka County residents may request a radon detector
<br />by calling Richard Marsh, Anoka County Environmental
<br />Services, 763 - 323 -6080.
<br />they need it the most. - Anonymous
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