Child Care Task Force

of the working group appointed at the last meeting. Some amendments were made to the document. Ms. Kreher also distributed a chart regarding licensing, compensation, and training.

    Mr. Wilson explained that joint resolutions and/or committee bills are both alternative vehicles that could act as a committee recommendation in place of the draft executive order.

    Sen. Blackham recommended changing the emphasis of the document so that business is clearly the leader of the initiative and government a participant in its role as an employer. He expressed concern that, as written, the document was keyed too much toward creating an entity that would become an advocacy group before the Legislature. He spoke in favor of the governor appointing the commission, but indicated that the commission should be charged to develop initiatives that businesses can enact to help finance child care, and that government should be included in the effort as an employer. The task force members made several recommendations for amendments.

    MOTION:    Ms. Rowland moved to have this concept drafted as a resolution to be presented to the task force at the next meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Senator Muhlestein absent for the vote.

         4.    Fully Funding State Match to Receive Available Federal Monies - Ms. Cathie Pappas and Mr. Peter Dietz, Department of Workforce Services, reviewed the child care budget under the Department of Workforce Services, including changes that have been made and what the proposed budget reflects for FY 1999 through 2002. They reviewed estimated expenditures, with and without rate increases in provider payments in federal FY 1999 and 2001. They stated that additional state funding will be needed to maximize the federal funding and reviewed how that funding would be spent.

    Ms. Stone noted that the $1.5 million in state monies requested to secure full federal funding would not have an immediate effect on providers serving only private-pay children but would affect providers serving state subsidized children.

    Ms. Nichols stated that the state should pull down all the federal dollars possible, but they should also commit to supporting child care by appropriating more funding. She noted that the level of compensation to child-care staff does not guarantee the best quality people to nurture children in their parents' stead. If the state would increase the amount paid for state-funded children, it could make a difference.

    Ms. Kreher explained that the subsidy is not meant to cover the full cost of child care and that parents or businesses could, hopefully, make up the difference between the full cost and what is being paid by the private-pay client. She noted that the state should recognize the influx of population into Utah.

    Full federal funding would allow child care consumers to be subsidized at the 75th percentile level. Ms. Pappas explained how the 75th percentile is calculated. Senator Blackham expressed his support for setting the subsidy at this level.

    MOTION:    Rep. Allen moved to make a recommendation from the task force to the Legislature that states monies be appropriated to maximize the federal funding available. This would include appropriating $1.5 million for federal FY 2000 and fully funding the federal available match through the end of federal FY 2002. The motion passed unanimously with Senator Muhlestein absent for the vote.

    Ms. Shauna Lower, a trainer of child-care providers, emphasized that a well-trained, well- paid workforce is critical to quality child care.
    
         5.    TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Life-time Limits - Ms. Helen Thatcher, Department of Workforce Services, addressed the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program and the life-time limit for families who receive TANF funding, which is 36 months. She noted that 20 percent of those receiving the TANF subsidy can be considered for an extension of the time limit but noted that these individuals must be working out of the home at least 20 hours per week. She emphasized that Utah has chosen to not target any certain type of family for an automatic extension of the time limit and that each family's barriers to employment are considered individually. Sometimes families with disabled children have a more difficult time finding child care, but that issue is addressed during the employment plan interview. She explained that the University of Utah is conducting a study that will indicate who is most at risk of exceeding the 36 month time limit. That study will be reported to the Workforce Services Interim Committee October 21. By July, the Department of Workforce Services will have identified those who will get an extension for their TANF subsidy. Ms. Thatcher said that there is no evidence that families with disabled children are at risk of losing their TANF subsidy. She also indicated that of the 7,951 families who receive a TANF subsidy and are required to participate in a work activity, 1,396 (18%) have children one year old or younger. The state has the authority to exempt families with children up to one year old from the work participation requirements but has chosen not to do so.

    Rep. Allen recommended that the task force postpone making a recommendation on the extension of TANF life-time limits until the University of Utah report has been released. She requested that staff ensure that a copy of the executive summary of the report is provided to the task force.

         6.    Use of School Buildings - Mr. Wilson distributed the statute on the use of public school facilities by child-care providers. Mr. Steve Peterson, Utah School Superintendents Association, reported on a survey he was asked to conduct to determine how much time, if any, school

buildings were being used for child care. The survey noted if a school provides child care programs after school hours, if child care is being provided during school hours, if private (for- profit) entities are being used, and what is being charged by the school district for the use of the school building. He indicated that each board of education charges differently to recoup the costs as allowed by law. He reviewed the results of the survey. He noted that charges differ between schools because of differences in facilities. He suggested that the task force may want to conduct a survey of the cost of commercial building space, compare the results to his survey, and forward the information to the districts. He agreed to coordinate with Ms. Baker, who also performed a similar survey and the local superintendents to try to establish more uniform rates.

    MOTION:    Rep. Allen made a motion to ask Superintendent Peterson to review his survey with the local districts and to work with them to make the rates for child care in schools more uniform and more affordable and schools more accessible for after-school care. The motion passed unanimously with Senator Muhlestein and Ms. Trenbeath-Murray absent for the vote.
    
         7.    Other Business - Because of the number of issues the task force needs to address, Rep. Allen proposed an additional meeting be held on Nov 3rd at 9:30 a.m. The committee agreed.

    Ms. Rubadiri asked that tax credits for businesses that give in-kind donations or services to child care be addressed on one of the future agendas.
    
         8.    Adjourn

     MOTION:     Sen. Suazo moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously at 12:18 p.m. with Senator Muhlestein and Ms. Trenbeath-Murray absent for the vote.