Changes are coming for hundreds of families who rely on the Early Learning Coalition for pre-K childcare funding assistance. Sarasota County commissioners recently voted 4 to 1 to defund the 20-year program, leaving families with just a few months to find alternative childcare and figure out how to pay for it. The lone dissenting vote came from Commissioner Mark Smith. The commissioners have denied grant applications from several groups to access funding set aside for human and behavioral health services in the county. If they don't reverse their decision, the Early Learning Coalition will have to find more than $1 million to make up for it or be forced to drop from the program. "I think it's really bizarre with today's day and how everyone's struggling. I don't know how they can cut that much funding," Derrick Clark, a Sarasota dad, said. "Daycare or any type of learning development is extremely expensive for families, and it's a hard time right now for especially people with young kids and trying to work and pay for daycare and childcare," Cathy Perry, a Sarasota mom, added. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/sarasota-county-defunds-early-learning-childcare-program/67-27242465-b0aa-4be6-9638-2dd77aa38a43