LATCHKEY PROGRAM GETS FUNDING

DeWayne Cossey, superintendent of State Schools for Severely Handicapped and Hilary Schmittzehe, CEO of VIP Industries and Regency Management, Inc., were on hand Thursday to receive donations from Danny Essner, Bank of America, and Nancy Jernigann, United Way, which will help fund Parkview State School's latch-key program.

Finding day care for children when schools aren't in session is sometimes difficult and can be expensive. Finding day care for a severely handicapped child can be an impossibility.

Parkview is participating in a pilot program which provides care from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cossey is extremely pleased with the outcome. "We're going to try to replicate this program in some of our other schools," he said.

The latch-key program is a joint venture between the State Department of Education and Regency Management, Inc. The state provided funds for renovations and additions to the facility as well as for utilities and general maintenance costs.

Regency provides the personnel necessary to maintain the program. The cost to parents is minimal. "We're only on a cost recovery basis here," said Cossey. Parents are required to pay only $50 per week.

All students participating in the program must be students of Parkview during the regular school year.