Agenda - 03-21-2006-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orange County Child Care DAY CARE TASK FORCE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHILD CARE SUBSIDY FUNDING INTRODIICTION In Tune of 2004 The Orange County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) set aside "$100,000 from the social safety net and designate[d] it for child care subsidies" (Attachment 1). Dee Gamble, then Chary of the Orange County Departmern of Social Services Boazd, created a cask force in July of 2004 to respond to the request by the County Boazd of Commissioners, to study issues and needs for day care subsidies in Orange Coumy in order to advise the DSS Board and the BOCC on the dispersion of the $100,000, The Task Force members include Margaret Brown representing the BOCC, Michele Rivest from the Partnership for Young Children, Kate Sanford from the Orange County Child Caze Coalition ,Nancy Coston and Kathy Snethen from the Orange Cou~y Deparhne~ of Social Services (DSS), Teresa Derrick from the Child Caze Services Association, Sharon Iimton from the Orange Cou~y Manager's Office and Dee Gamble. This Committee represented the broad spectrum of knowledgeable stakeholders who have advocated for quality child caze in Orange Courrty. Diane Reid, Director of Economic Development, provided information on economic issues needed by the Task Force. Lindsey Shewmaker from Orange County DSS provided staff support, The Task Force reported to the ASS Boazd on three occasions, keeping it informed of the process and potential recommendations. It also reported to the BOCC on December 18 to provide a preliminary report, at the same time requesting that these funds be placed in a tnust fund for child care subsidies. At that time the BOCC released $50,000 to be encumbered for childcare subsidies, with the rema~n;ng $50,000 to be considered for release after receiving the final report. This report provides a broad picture of the significant co~ribution that child care subsidies make to working faznilies receiving them, to the children who benefit directly from the care, and to the economic well-being of the county as a whole. It also contains discussion of the issues examined, documerns that describe the current resources and current needs for child care subsidies, and a description of the considerable economic advantage for both families and businesses that child care subsidies provide, Finally, this report provides recommendations for how best to use the $100,000 trust fund set aside by the BOCC for child caze subsidies. NEED, RESOIIRCES, STRIICTIIRES AND CIIRRENT POLICIES Why is Child Care Necessary? Child care is an importarn and necessary part of the lives of most working families in Orange County, Parents or guardians may utilize child care £or a variety of reasons. The pazern(s) may work full or part-time, attend school, have an illness necessitating child supervision, or require a break from the demands of child care. Without available childcare, a pazem/guazdian may be in danger of losing a job or forced to leave a child in less than ideal conditions. For the majority of families there are relatively few options for safe and secure child care.. Families may utilize relatives, babysitters, and neighbors, but most tend to seek more permanent solutions in the form of licensed childcare centers..