Representatives of the Mount Jefferson Child Development Center told the Board of Commissioners they remain under-enrolled and are working to restore participation in the USDA child-care food program after administrative and address issues interrupted renewal.

Center staff said the facility serves about 70 children and has capacity for roughly 30 more children at current staffing levels. They reported being fully staffed and actively recruiting to increase enrollment to financial sustainability. Staff outlined steps taken after a lapse in program renewal: the center obtained the required UEI number and re-submitted applications after state notices were sent to prior employees' addresses rather than the center, which delayed re-enrollment. An attorney who assisted the center indicated the program should be restored within about a month.

Staff said the center experienced storm damage to two classrooms and some play-area equipment; playground fencing and other replacements have been completed. The center reported an average food cost of about $700 per week while the program is not reimbursing meals, and that the typical family charge is about $9.15 per child per day.

Commissioners asked about waiting lists, subsidies and storm recovery; center staff said subsidies are frozen and that the center is using local fundraising, attorney assistance and County resources to restore federal program participation. No formal county funding decision was requested at the meeting.