The Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) childcare program will be able to serve many more families thanks to a funding boost approved by the Deschutes County Commission.

Commissioners approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the SPRD childcare program and Furnish Hope, a local nonprofit that furnishes homes at no cost to families in need.

The $25,000 allocated to the Sisters Park & Recreation District is expected to allow the District to serve 30 to 40 additional children between the ages of three and five years old. Last year, the program had a waitlist of more than 60 families.

“Sisters Park & Recreation District is extremely grateful for the support from Deschutes County Commissioners to expand our preschool operations. These funds will allow us to increase capacity without increasing fees for families,” said Jennifer Holland, executive director of SPRD. “Child care continues to be a growing need in our community, especially since the onset of the pandemic. The additional spots made possible by ARPA will allow us to better serve our community as well as better prepare Sisters preschoolers for kindergarten.”

The $81,000 allocated to Furnish Hope will help build capacity so that the non-profit, which was established in 2019, will be able to serve more families.

“Furnish Hope is thrilled to have been awarded $81,000 in ARPA funding from the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners to support our goals and ensure that we can continue to turn empty houses into welcoming homes for those in need of basic household furnishings,” said Megan Martin, director of Furnish Hope.

Deschutes County has received more than $38 million in ARPA funds. The Board has allocated more than $37.7 of those funds. To learn more about the County’s ARPA investments, visit http://www.deschutes.org/arpa.