Wee Care Center helps parents graduate

The Wee Care Center was established to provide quality childcare for low-income students at UVSC, MATC, and Turning Point. It helps to provide an opportunity for students who would otherwise be unable to start or finish school because of lack of childcare.

The center was founded about six years ago by Carol Verbecky who saw the need that students had, especially those who were single parents or low-income. With a grant from Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS), help from UVSC, the Utah State Office of Child Care, and community donations, the Wee Care Center opened in a donated house adjacent to campus.

Single parents are given first priority during the application process, followed by low-income families, then faculty and employees of the college. Fees are based on a federal sliding scale according to family income. The center is state licensed has a limited amount of openings that are filled fast each semester.

Mary Ellen Larsen, coordinator of the Wee Care Center, stated that she “likes the fact that we are servicing students and allowing them to start or finish school.” She said that this is one of the main reasons she chose to work for the facility. The center has between 15 and 20 employees, many of which are workstudy students from campus.

Parents must apply to have their child cared for at Wee Care every semester, even if they have had their child there in past semesters. Parents who want to apply for spring semester should contact Mary Ellen starting Oct. 1. For more information call (801) 863-7264.