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Several local child-care centers and in-home care providers have received grant funding from federal child-care funds distributed to Colorado counties by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Routt County received $60,000, of which $40,000 has been distributed to local centers and homes. The remaining $20,000 could be distributed by early next year.

The funds provide for needs ranging from playground equipment to curriculum development to staff training and are awarded based on how centers and homes scored on statewide ratings that track the quality of service centers provide.

"It's a huge help," said Renee Donahue, early childhood manager for Routt County and staff support for First Impressions.

Providing quality child care requires funds for training and paying staff, developing good curricula and making good learning atmospheres, Donahue said. There often are holes between the cost of those needs and what centers receive from clients.

The grants were awarded through Routt County Human Services and First Impressions of Routt County, which look at the centers' ratings and determine how to fill holes in their child-care services.

Grants between about $1,200 and $10,000 were distributed to eight licensed centers and six licensed homes throughout the county.

A small part of the $60,000 grant was used to help fund a part-time early childhood specialist who works with the programs, Donahue said.

Also, First Impressions recently received a $1,210 grant from Yampa Valley Electric Company's caring consumers program.

-- To reach Susan Cunningham, call 871-4203 or e-mail sbacon@steamboatpilot.com