First 5 Placer Children and Families Commission has approved up to $300,000 in emergency childcare funding for families in crisis for children ages 0-5 until Jan. 31. Additionally, the Placer County Office of Education has approved funding for children between the ages of 6-12.

The reason for this emergency funding arose when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the 2010-11 state budget and eliminated childcare services for low income working families in the CalWorks Stage 3 program. The low-income working families in this program now face the dilemma of having to leave their jobs or place their children in uncertain childcare situations.

In Placer County, this act will leave approximately 250 children without access to safe quality childcare as of Oct. 31, 40 percent of whom are under age 6. Funding from First 5 and PCOE will help ease the transition from the program.

For more information on First 5 Placer, go online.