Economic Impacts?

Whether it is called a recession or not, many of us are struggling under the weight of our current economic condition. Throughout the presidential election we heard a great deal about how the average citizen is being impacted, however, what about the institutions that care for the average citizen?

Many out-of-school time (OST) programs are having a very difficult time continuing to meet the needs of children and families. I can see this in the type of phone calls DELTAS is receiving. We are a source of information for many parents, and it is normal to get several calls a week from parents looking for a program. However, this year, we were unprepared for the number of calls from parents who have found a program for their child but cannot afford it. I can only imagine the number of families that have had to make adjustments because they can no longer afford child care.

This economic downturn is not only affecting individuals, but also the systems that stabilize our society. I think more attention needs to be given to this problem, but what do you think? How has the current economic climate affected your organization? Have you had to make cut backs? How will you be affected in the long-term? What are the solutions?