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W.Va. to Cut Child Care, Social Program Funding

Posted: 4:15 AM Jun 22, 2012

West Virginia is scaling back child-care aid and funding for other social services, including a summer nutrition program.

Starting next year, families at or above 150 percent of the federal poverty level will lose payments for outside child care.

That could end aid for an estimated 1,425 children. The program helped more than 24,000 children during the last budget year

This program will also stop enrolling new families Aug. 1. Those exempted include children on welfare and in foster care.

Payments to day care centers and other providers won't change. But enrolled families will see copayments more than double starting Aug. 1.

The state is also cutting $9.5 million in annual grants. That includes $2.5 million meant to help the Department of Education expand its summer nutrition program.