Parents and day care providers have a new information and training clearinghouse to help connect them and to coordinate children's services in Howard County.

Located on the third floor of a red brick office building at Ridge Road and U.S. 40, the county's Child Care Resource Center is a nine-person operation supported with $500,000 in federal, state and county cash and in-kind contributions -- such as office space.

Administrator Dale Jackson said the center has counselors who can help residents find licensed day care -- overnight or on weekends -- or can help providers get training, find good market locations or use the center's library to expand activities for the children they watch.

The office has been open since February, Jackson said, but is beginning to publicize its services now, after a shakedown period.

"We can tell providers where the need is," she said, mentioning frequent calls from parents looking for after-school care in Clarksville.

Center workers also can meet with businesses looking for ways to help employees with child care problems or meet with communities experiencing a problem. All the center's staff members are county employees in the Department of Citizen Services.

Information: 410-313-1930.

Pub Date: 4/22/99