Child Care Task Force

already burdened budget. She reviewed the following recommendations to the task force from the MAP to Inclusive Child Care Team:

    *    The state provide the additional matching funds needed to maximize all the federal dollars for child care.
    *    Ten percent of the child care quality expenditures be directed specifically to activities that support inclusion of children with disabilities in child care settings.
    *    Families of children with disabilities will be included in those persons given priority for an extension of the "life-time limit" on TANF work requirements.

    Rep. Allen stated that this is a reasonable recommendation that should be considered by the Child Care Task Force .

    Ms. Ord stated that the Department of Workforce Services is considering a program that would give incentives to those centers that will accept a special needs child to help mitigate some of their extra costs.

         3.    Use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Funds for Child Care - Mr. William R. Horner and Mr. Peter Dietz, Department of Workforce Services, reviewed the preliminary federal and state funding plans for child care, FY 1997 - 2002 and potential revenue available compared to estimated expenditures for the same period of time. They noted that if TANF funds are used to establish programs and then TANF funding is cut after 2002 , the state will have to subsidize those needs. They explained how rainy day funds are accumulated to prepare for potential future funding demands. They indicated that the numbers on their handout included an incentive for licensed and/or accredited chid care providers, a subsidy rate increase, and the other recommendations included in a document distributed to the committee, Department of Workforce Services, Child Care Rate Workgroup Attachments, September 10, 1998.

    When asked what the state should do to improve child care, Ms. Cathie Pappas, Department of Workforce Services, recommended the following:
    *    Maximize the use of federal monies available to the state.
    *    Show the state's willingness to invest it's own money in child care and not necessarily rely on federal money.
    *    Educate the public, parents, and policymakers about child development and provide training to child care providers.

    The task force discussed parents' lack of interest in receiving training as parents.

    When asked whether $1 million of TANF monies could be used for child care efforts, Mr. Horner indicated that $1 million is probably reasonable.

         4.    Strategies for Ensuring a Continued Emphasis on Child Care - Ms. Kreher reported on her meeting with Brad Barber, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, and reviewed his ideas and recommendations. He recommended that the task force request the governor to appoint a commission to determine the feasibility of a public/private partnership to support the future of child care in Utah.

     MOTION:     Pat Kreher moved that the task force support the concept of recommending the governor appoint a committee to determine the feasibility of a public/private partnership to study and support the future of child care in Utah, with members of the task force developing the focus of that partnership. The motion passed with Rep. Dayton voting in opposition.

    Ms. Trenbeath-Murray, Ms. Nichols, Ms. Rubadiri, and Mr. Higbee volunteered to work with Ms. Kreher and staff to form the proper language for the recommendation and a focus for the governor-appointed committee.

    Sen. Blackham noted that most states are doing this without a lot of government involvement. He encouraged using their models in involving businesses.

         5.    Mechanisms to Enhance Business Participation - Ms. Jill Rubadiri agreed that the governor's involvement with a business coalition for child care would be good and then businesses could take ownership. She reported that in 1990 Colorado made monetary donations to child care tax deductible. The Utah Legislature, she said, should consider appropriate legislation to provide tax credits that would act as incentives for businesses. Those incentives should: (1) affect those not currently involved in child care; (2) and those already involved. The incentives should be easily accessible and well-defined. They should include a credit for employers whose employees use child care and should be greater for helping children with disabilities.

         6.    Review of Draft Legislation and Requests

    Background Criminal Investigations - Mr. Wilson reviewed and explained Child Care Provider Criminal Background Check Amendments, 09-25-98 Draft and its reflection of the concerns raised in earlier meetings. The task force agreed that there could be some non- substantive changes to the bill. The task force expressed support for the bill, but concern for the fiscal note that would accompany the bill and asked that the committee be given information regarding the cost of background checks in case the state had to absorb those costs. Also, what resources could be used to cover those costs.
    
     MOTION:    Ms. Stone moved to recommend this draft bill to the legislature. The motion passed unanimously.

    Parenting Education in High School - Mr. Jerry Peterson, Assistant Superintendent, State Office of Education, stated that education on parenting could be inserted in an already full health core curriculum, but could not be as comprehensive as might be desired. He noted that there would need to be comprehensive teacher training. He also noted that there currently exists additional classes in the curriculum that support the concept, the Adult Roles and Responsibility class and the Child Development class.

    Ms. Mary Shumway, Family Consumer-Science Specialist, noted that the current course has changed drastically over the years and is currently an elective course. She agreed parenting is important, but raised the question of a 16-17 year old's interest. By integrating this topic in the health curriculum, it could interest some students in taking further instruction. She emphasized that there are courses that are more timely for teens and more age appropriate.

    Mr. Peterson recommended that parenting skills be integrated into the health curriculum as an introductory program to raise students' awareness regarding parenting skills. He reiterated the need for teacher inservice training if the teacher is going to go into much depth on the subject.

    Sen. Blackham stated that he does not feel parenting classes should be mandated. He recommended perhaps writing a letter to the school districts indicating the importance of this issue and encouraging them to raise the awareness in the health classes.

    Kelly Fowler, mother of three children and child-care center owner, spoke in favor of the school districts taking the responsibility, as opposed to the state, to make classes on parenting exciting and change the perception whether the classes are offered to teenagers, parents, or the private sector.

    Memo by Ms. Trenbeath-Murray - Ms. Trenbeath-Murray distributed a memo identifying the reduction of provider turnover as means for improving child care. She recommended the following:

    *    Offer tax incentive to child care owners who pay their providers a higher rate of pay.
    *    Adopt and/or offer more financial assistance to the resource and referral agencies overseen by the Office of Child Care to provide a more comprehensive training plan.
    *    Offer stipend type rewards for accumulating steps in training. Increased training increases employee satisfaction and reduces turnover.
    *    Develop a reasonable plan where owners can offer health insurance.

    J.E.D.I. for Women Report - J.E.D.I. distributed and reviewed Welfare Reform and Working Poverty, a report conducted by the Utah Welfare Redesign Partnership Project. Two key issues are the seven-month waiting period for infant child care and affordability. J.E.D.I. noted that the amount of money that a working single mother pays for child care is one of the highest in the nation and made three recommendations: 1) subsidize child care for households making up 85% of the state median income, up from the current 56% of SMI; 2) subsidize child care to ensure that parents are not paying more that 10% of their income, and 3) Increase the 36 month life-time limit on TANF eligibility to 60 months for persons who cannot access child care.
    
    Early Childhood Literacy - This topic will be addressed at a later meeting.
    
    Revolving Loan Fund - Mr. Wilson asked for more input from the task force regarding some of the policy issues inherent in drafting this legislation.

    Sen. Blackham suggested that a few legislators from the task force form a subcommittee to meet with staff and discuss policy and help draft recommended language. He encouraged input from other members of the task force as well. Rep. Allen, Sen. Muhlestein , and Sen. Suazo volunteered for the subcommittee.

    Tax Credit for Stay-at-home Parents - This topic will be addressed at the next meeting.

         7.    Future Meetings - Distribution of information for future meetings was postponed.

         8.    Adjourn

     MOTION: At 4:20 p.m. Sen. Muhlestein moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by unanimous vote.