Bartlett Center COVID-19 (7-1-20)

Bartlett Center COVID-19 (7-1-20)

Been stretched thin during the coronavirus pandemic.

Many have had issues staying operational while still trying to serve their clients and the community.

At the bartlett center in st.

Joseph, óóóóóó here's kq2's ron johnson with more.

<<ron johnson reporting for staff at the bartlett center perhaps the word of the year is unpredictable.

It was a big adjustment and it was overnight,the covid-19 pandemic has increased the need for the services the bartlett center provides, giving kids a safe place to be when parents can't watch them.

As schools all around the area closed down back in march bartlett center staff had to step in early.

When school was closed immediately after spring break, extra 12-14 weeks of all-day care when it's normally after school care.it was a decision that came with a price, staff say the extra demand for increased child care has put even more of a strain on their already tight budget.

Cost-wise i mean every month i'm losing money in my program i bring in as much as we can, it's just not enough in order to carry the program on.

Covid-19 has also led to lower enrollment at the center, they say about half as many kids are still with the after care program and that's lead to staff cuts.

As we inch closer and closer to the upcoming school year, the outlook remains uncertain.

As far as plans in the future, i can honestly tell you that i have none and i hate that, but that's the honest truth.

On top of all of this, many of the staff here at the bartlett center are parents of school aged kids themselves, with yet from the st.

Joseph school school will look like next year, it's waiting game for them both at work and at home.

Are the kids going to school in the fall is it part time is it every other day, i have no idea.if they don't start school traditionally then i don't know how that's going to go, they'll be here but i don't know what the plan is.

Despite the unknown however, staff say they want to make sure they do all they can for the kids they do have, and prepare for more should they need to we're playing by ear, if our kids increase, we're gonna increase our staff.ron johnson kq2 news>> bartlett center staff say they are losing about 28 hundred dollars a month due to extra operating costs, the center is always accepting donations from the public, for more information you can find this story on our website kq2.com.