What is a Child Care Companion? A Child Care Companion is a child care organization, women's initiative, church or synagogue, fraternal or civic organization, business, college, or any other organization that is willing to help a child care center or other selected human service provider located in the Gulf Coast get back on its feet following the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005. Each Child Care Companion will be linked directly with an impacted child care center, family child care home, or other human service provider of its choice. Together, they will identify ways in which the Companion can help. Activities may include holding a fundraiser, collecting and sending books, crayons, drawing paper, blocks, chairs and tables, water colors, office supplies and equipment.

Would your organization be willing to become a Child Care Companion to a child care center, family child care home, and other human service provider in the Gulf Coast that is struggling to rebound from Katrina or Rita's devastation? If so, please click on the Beneficiary Information tab, identify the needs you would most like to assist with, and input the requested information so you can be verified as a Companion.

Companion Responsibilities: A Child Care Companion is responsible for:

• Identifying one or more Beneficiaries it would like to assist from the list of child care centers, family child care homes, and other human service providers contained on the Child Care Companion website.
• Identifying how it will assist a Beneficiary, by selecting from the list of that Beneficiary's needs.
• Contacting, after receiving verification from the United Way of Florida, the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries it has selected and discussing with the Beneficiary's contact person how best to proceed.