NorCo To Help Families In Need of Subsidized Daycare

Back when I was a little monster, I had this annoying habit of waking up around 2 am, and then knocking on neighbors' doors. I ran away from home periodically to become a mountain man. The last straw was when I nearly killed my sister. She was thirsty and whining to my mother, who was trying to clean the bath tub with five kids tormenting her simultaneously. As the oldest, I decided to help. So I gave my sister a bottle of clorox. That was just one of several occasions in which I was shipped off to my grandparents for a little vacation. I liked it better there anyway because my grandfather - a really cool guy who always wore a three piece suit - gave me pocket watches and American flags. He also took me on walks every night, even though he was quite ill. We'd walk a block or two, and then he'd tell me to wait on the corner while he gets his shot. He'd tell me he was quite sick. A block later, he would need another shot. After a few blocks, I could see myself that my grandfather was very unhealthy. When we'd return home, my grandmother could see it, too.

In those days, most mothers stayed home with the kids. Their salvation was their family, who could be counted on to look after holy terrors like myself.

Times have changed. Both parents work, almost always as a matter of economic necessity. Most salaries are too low to raise a family on one parent's income. Although some can rely on family to help take care of young children, most are spread out. As a result, there has been an explosion of daycares. But what do parents do when their combined income is so low they are unable to afford it?

Northampton County has decided to help.

On the first Thursday of every month, between 1-5 pm at the Human Services Building on Emrick Blvd in Bethlehem Tp, Human Services staff will assist anyone with questions about child care, including subsidized child care.

“Finding quality child care can be difficult under the best circumstances,” says Executive Lamont McClure. “We hope, by providing access to specialists, it makes it easier for our working families to find daycare.”

Human Services is located at 2801 Emrick Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18020.