SANTA ANA : College Child Care Receives State Award

A child care program by the Rancho Santiago Community College District that provides meals for the children of students has been named as one of the best in the state.

College officials received a certificate of recognition last week from the state Department of Education.

Priscilla McCarty, who ran the program last year, said the district was recognized for offering meals that are healthful as well as ethnically diverse.

“We meet their nutritional needs and we’re also meeting the needs of their culture,” she said. That’s important because “kids often only eat what they’re familiar with.”

McCarty said the program serves about 270 children districtwide. Without the child care and meal service, many parents would be unable to attend college.

“We’re very pleased” about the award, McCarty said. “All the staff in our program do a really nice job, and it’s nice to get a pat on the back for going above and beyond the call of duty.”