MINUTES OF THE
WORKFORCE SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
October 22, 1997 - 2:00 p.m. - Room 414 State Capitol
Members Present:
Rep. Orville D. Carnahan, Chair
Sen. Lorin V. Jones
Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein
Sen. Millie M. Peterson
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Rep. Margaret Dayton
Members Excused:
Sen. Robert F. Montgomery, Chair
Members Absent:
Rep. Jeff Alexander
Rep. Steve Barth
Rep. Duane Bourdeaux
Sen. Blaze D. Wharton
governing the facility and that the report has helped to reduce the number of deficiencies. Ms.
Wynkoop-Green then discussed the "Certificate of Appreciation" in recognizing those providers
who are exceeding the standards of care.
Rep. Frandsen said the issue is whether to provide education in day care centers. He stated that we are not saying women that are not on welfare should go to work.
Ms. Wynkoop-Green said that last year the Legislature basically stated in the statute that the
department may not regulate educational curricula, academic methods, educational philosophy,
or the approach of the provider. We are prohibited by law passed by the Legislature last year to
regulate or even include any of that information in the rules. Ms. Wynkoop-Green said that they
have held 14 training sessions statewide since July 1 when they took over the new opportunity
for licensing. They have received more than 100 comments from providers regarding the rules
and are on the third draft of the emergency rules. She indicated that those rules have been
finalized.
Chair Carnahan indicated that he had received several complaints and the major concern
was from providers who have child care in their home. The complaint was the rules that have
now been put into place should only apply to full-fledged day/care centers rather than day care
within the home. It was expressed that it might force home providers out of the business and
decrease the amount of child care available.
Ms. Wynkoop-Green said that providers need to be educated as to how to read the rule
correctly.
MOTION: Rep. Frandsen moved to have staff draft legislation requiring that day/care centers disclose the education programs they offer. The motion passed. Rep. Haymond voted
against the motion. Reps. Dayton and Holladay were absent for the vote.
Prior to the vote, Rep. Haymond pointed out that day/care centers can currently disclose
their education programs if hey choose, and that perhaps licensing requirements should be
separated from all other child care requirements, so the child care industry does not
misunderstand what they have to do to be licensed.
Ms. Pat Kreher, Director, Office of Child Care Center Services _ Ms. Kreher informed committee members that in the Department of Workforce Services, the Office of Child Care
funds seven regional child care resources and referral agencies to help parents find the child care
they need. Ms. Kreher said that the department's goal for the next six to eight months is to
provide education to parents to help them choose child care as a marketable service.
Sen. Peterson expressed concern with some child care providers charging $1 a minute if the
parent is late in picking up their child. The individual that is caring for the child is not going to
get that 60 dollars if the parent is late.
In response to Sen. Peterson's comment, Ms. Kheher said that this goes back to the
marketable commodity. The parent should be looking at other policies of the child care center
with which they contract.
Sen. Jones asked if there are statistics showing what has happened in the child care industry
in the past two or three years? In response to the question, Ms. Wynkoop-Green said it would
be very difficult to go through all of the files, but when the database is up and running this kind
of data could be pulled up without a problem.
5. Child Care Funding Issues - Rep. Allen indicated that the state has a critical interest in the children and what happens to them. She said it needs to be tied with child care funding because
the state does have a block grant for child care development money which is expected to
increase, but the state's responsibility to maximize that money must also increase our effort.
Child care is important to business, the future of the taxpayer, and to families. It can be used for
quality and accessability.
Ms. Barbara Gittens, Department of Workforce Services, distributed a handout from which
she gave her presentation. The handout indicates where the state is as far as funding child care in
the Department of Workforce Services. She discussed what is happening this year, what to
expect in the future, and Utah's obligation. Ms. Gittens said in the 1997 General Session, the
Legislature made the decision to reduce state tax funds available for child care. She discussed
the six-year block grant, how much money is available each year, and said that next year the
department will appeal to the Legislature for more money. Ms. Gittens highlighted and
explained the remaining tables regarding funds. She indicated that the program does have base
funding in the amount of $900,000 to be used for grant money for before and after school
programs.
Sen. Muhlstein expressed his concern with accepting federal funding and the strings that are
always attached. He asked who decides whether to accept federal funding? Ms. Gittens
explained that this specific grant is more flexible than grants we have had in the past. She said
that the agency makes the decision unless in an appropriation cycle the Legislature specifically
dictates differently.
Rep. Frandsen indicated he is sure that the funding is ongoing because it was a major issue
during the session. He said that he was clearly told that it was ongoing and was appropriated out
of the ongoing fund.
Chair Carnahan requested for Rep. Frandsen to follow up on this issue.
6. Adjourn
MOTION: Sen. Muhlestein moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:16 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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