What is a Child Care Companion Beneficiary? A Child Care Companion Beneficiary is a child care center, family child care home, or other human service provider such as a Boys and Girls Club, ARC, or Head Start that sustained damages from Hurricanes Rita or Katrina during the devastating 2005 hurricane season.

Because of the level of devastation from the storms, these centers and providers are still struggling to overcome significant challenges, even months after they occurred.

A Beneficiary may just need sand for a sand box, children's books, or cribs for the babies in its care. For many, the needs are signifigant, ranging from kitchen appliances to new roofs.

Regardless of a Beneficiary's need or Companion's resources, the Child Care Companion initiative allows a Companion to identify the amount and level of needs it has the resources to address, so every Companion can provide the level of assistance its resources will allow.

Beneficiary Responsibilities: A Child Care Companion Beneficiary is responsible for:

• Providing information to its local United Way or to the United Way of Florida regarding how a Child Care Companion can help it recover from damages sustained by Hurricanes Rita or Katrina.
• Upon being contacted by a Child Care Companion, work with the Companion to move forward in addressing its needs.