This article was published on WGXA News by Terell Bailey on January 7, 2021.

ATLANTA, GA — For many working parents, the pandemic threw a wrench in their daily day-to-day lives.

One Georgia program is aiming to lend a helping hand to parents that have children with disabilities.

Georgia’s Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is expanding a newly implemented financial program to include children and young adults with disabilities whose school systems primarily are virtually learning.

The program is designed for working parents who need care for their disabled children while they work.

Originally the program, ‘SOLVE’ (Supporting Onsite Learning for Virtual Education) offered scholarships for students ages 5-12 only.

Under the expanded SOLVE program, children and young adults up to age 22 who have a disability will be eligible for a SOLVE scholarship regardless of the family’s income.

DECAL, Deputy Commissioner for Federal Programs, Elisabetta Kasfir noted, “This is an opportunity to get a large portion of tuition paid for families with a child or young adult with a disability.”

Kasfir continued, “If they are uncomfortable with that child leaving the home there are opportunities for providers who may come inside the home.”

According to DECAL, the SOLVE payment rate for caring for children and young adults with disabilities will increase based on the provider’s location, facility type, and Quality Rated star level.

The money distributed in this program is funded by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, part of the federal CARES Act. The funding will continue to be distributed as long as the student’s school primarily continues to learn virtually.

Those interested must apply for support from SOLVE, using this link www.gateway.ga.gov.

To learn more about the SOLVE Program visit www.decal.ga.gov.

DECAL officials tell WGXA so far, more than 4,000 SOLVE scholarships have been awarded to Georgia children and their families. More specifically over 250 were awarded in Macon-Bibb County.