Students and families now pay an additional fee when registering for after-school programs offered by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming.

The club is charging for after-school programs using a sliding fee scale, which starts at $100 a month and decreases according to a family's income. Families will still pay a $10 membership fee when signing up their children for programs.

The new sliding fee schedule is used for the club's summer programs, according to Ashley Bright, the club's chief professional officer and executive director.

Here's how it works:

The sliding fee scale is based on federal poverty guidelines, which are determined by family size and family income. When a family falls into a poverty bracket, it can apply for child-care assistance through the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

If child-care assistance is approved, the Boys and Girls Club will bill DFS on a monthly basis according to the number of hours a child is at the club. Parents are also billed a small copay.

When a family registers a second child for a program, the club offers the family a 50 percent discount on that child's fees. A third child is offered a 25 percent discount.

Bright said fees collected are used to help expand the club's programs and community building efforts, in addition helping provide staff development and pay for the club's transportation system.

Fees make up only 25 percent to 30 percent of the club's operating budget, he added.

"It's something that is diversifying our programs, and diversifying our income, and creating sustainability in our organization," Bright said.

Chief financial officer Susan Wagner stressed that the fee scale won't place a large burden on families who are on tight budgets.

"When we talk to the parents, what we're finding out is they're paying a huge amount in average daycare," Wagner said.

Wagner also noted that more than half of the club's membership qualifies for free and reduced lunch, and therefore would also qualify for assistance through DFS.

"We made sure the brackets are wide enough so we didn't leave anyone out who is working poor," Wagner said. "The bulk of our membership is really not paying anything."

Bright also said the club will continue to waive fees and provide scholarships for roughly 30 percent to 40 percent of its members.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.

For more information

Contact the Boys and Girls Club at (307) 235-5694.