Two Joplin agencies to receive grant funding from Community Foundation of the Ozarks

Two Joplin area agencies will be the recipients of grants from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks to provide child care in rural communities.

The agencies Lafayette House and Community Support Services of Missouri received a piece of the $300,000 that was available.

These grants were awarded by Ozarks Early Childhood Support Grant Program, which is based in Springfield and funded anonymously.

This group’s goal is to reduce obstacles to quality child care so parents can maintain employment or return to work, according to agency officials.

$30,000 was awarded to Community Support Services of Missouri, which provides scholarships to low-income families participating in the Early Learning Center in Webb City.

The group provides services to individuals of all ages that have developmental disabilities, while the Early Learning Center serves younger children, infants, and toddlers, who normally have developmental delays.

The other group, Lafayette House, also received $30,000.

This organization helps victims of domestic assault, substance abuse, and sexual violence.

The funds will go to support current staff and fill vacancies at its Pumpkin Patch location in Joplin.

This Pumpkin Patch is a daycare for 67 children, with around half of the slots in use reserved for Lafayette House clients.