Parents and officials react to Vernon Child Care Partners closing

Yahoo

01-03-2025

VERNON (KFDX/KJTL) — Throughout the week, we've brought news about Vernon Child Care Partners closing and the outrage from parents following the organization's reasons. Now, after speaking with individuals on both sides of this story, we have an update.
Vernon Child Care Partners announced that it is forced to close due to financial struggles, pointing out that unpaid bills from parents were a factor.
Of course, we know this isn't the case for all families in Vernon, but it was shown that 49 parents owed a little over $15,000 total. From what was gathered, that was just a drop in the bucket regarding the financial deficit within the facility, with the total being over $175,000.
Frustrated parents are speaking out as Vernon Child Care Partners shuts its doors.
'Just be honest, be transparent. Be transparent with your staff, your family members. You're supposed to look out for the children and the community. And this doesn't do that. This put us all in more of a bind than it did helping us at this point.' Vernon parent, Megan Hernandez said.
Interim Executive Director of Child Care Partners, Alicia Myrick said there are a multitude of reasons.
'The decision was a culmination of many months of trying to make things work. Many months of issues. Not getting funding, not getting grants that we had applied for and expected. Just miscommunication with different people. And not being able to really get a handle on the financial issues out there.' Myrick said.
Parents said they were never made aware of any financial troubles and, in fact, were assured on January 7 by the center that they would not be closing, despite rumors.
'I think they should have communicated with us a lot earlier. If there was a financial issue going on. At least they could have told us. We could have donated in our community. We have people in our community that are willing to make sure that our children have a safe place to go.' Vernon parent, Deidre Roper, said.
Myrick responded to this statement.
'So, I will say that I'm new to this position, and the leadership before was probably not as transparent as it should have been with regards to our financial position. But we did post on Facebook that we're a 501C3, that we're looking for donations, all of those things. We also did fundraisers throughout the year,' Myrick said.
But that didn't stop the parents from asking questions.
'Why were grants not allowed to be written for Vernon, why was all money directed to Vernon automatically funneled to Wichita,' Hernandez said.
Myrick addressed those claims.
'When we originally started this plan through the board, it was presented to us that we would be eligible for an $85,000 grant, but because of timelines and the way everything was turned in in and paper issues, we did not qualify for that. So, we didn't get any grants,' Myrick said.
The center's problems in Vernon weren't only financial, though.
'When we first opened back in September and October, we did have two incidences of a child being left on a playground for a short period of time. That was remedied at that point in time through licensing. The leadership in charge at that time did not take steps to appropriately report it.' Myrick said.
Child Care Partner officials said those responsible were terminated, and they take ownership for the mistake and lack of communication on the center's mounting problems overall.
'Communication with employees, with parents, with kids, with community partners, with everybody should have been a lot more transparent.' Myrick said.
With this center in Vernon now closed, the focus is once again on the many children in the care of Child Care Partners in Wichita Falls.
Child Care Partners always needs donations, especially in trying times like these. If you would like to donate,, visit Child Care Partners | Protecting Children and Strengthening Families.
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