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2 <br /> I. INTRODUCTION <br /> This report is in response to a request from the Orange County Board of <br /> Commissioners t examine alternative means of delivering enhanced day care <br /> services to meet needs outlined in the report of the Child Care Subcommittee <br /> of the Orange County Human Services Advisory Commission. It has been prepared <br /> by an ad-hoc committee designated by the Board and comprised of Kenneth <br /> Thompson, Orange! County Manager, Ms. Janice Schopler, Chair, Orange County <br /> Board of Social pervices and Dr. Michael Sharp, Chair, Child Care Subcommittee <br /> of the Orange Co0ty Human Services Advisory Commission. Staff assistance <br /> was provided by Rob Addelson, Management Analyst in the Orange County Manager's <br /> Office. <br /> II. BACKGROUND <br /> On May 17, 5983, a report of the Child Care Subcommittee of the Orange <br /> County Human Services Advisory Commission was submitted to the Orange County <br /> Board of Commissiioners for its consideration. The report cites the current <br /> state of child care service delivery in Orange County as fragmented and states <br /> that a number of child care needs in the community are not being addressed by <br /> existing service delivery agencies. <br /> The report attributes many of the problem in service delivery to the <br /> lack of coordination among existing child care providers as well as institutional , <br /> fiscal and legallconstraints posed on the Day Care Unit of the Department of <br /> Social Services , the major agent of day care service delivery in the county. <br /> Due to the amount and source of funds (Title XX dollars) the Day Care Unit is <br /> restricted as tolthe activities it can undertake and the populations it can <br /> address. The provision of technical assistance is limited to those centers which <br /> are certified orlseeking certification which precludes needed assistance to a <br /> large number of other day care providers. Further, the report states that the <br /> public's perception of DSS as a "welfare agency" stops many families from seeking <br /> information and referral and purchase of care funds from the Day Care Unit thus <br /> resulting in uninformed day care choices being made by parents. <br /> The report Concludes with a proposal for the creation of a new agency to <br /> coordinate child care resources in the county and to enhance the existing level <br /> of services being delivered. The report argues that a new agency will be better <br /> able than the current arrangement, to address the following needs: <br /> Need #1 : Advocacy for child care in all sectors of the community <br /> including more stringent standards for non-certified day <br /> care homes and centers. <br /> Need #2: ErJhancement of existing service delivery including: <br /> a. increased technical assistance <br /> b. development of additional spaces <br /> c. expanded nutritional services <br /> d. provision of health supportive services <br /> e. parenting education <br /> Need #3: Thee attraction of private funds and foundation monies to <br /> meet additional costs due to enhanced service delivery and <br /> to increase the funds subsidized care. <br />