SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 2528

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1992

Brief Description:  Supporting the establishment of before‑and‑after‑school child care programs.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives H. Myers, Winsley, Riley, Leonard, R. King, Hargrove, Beck, Anderson, H. Sommers, Heavey, Miller, Wineberry, Jones, Paris, Franklin, Orr, Wang, Scott, J. Kohl, Roland, Bray, Ogden, Cooper, Pruitt, O'Brien, Hine, Rasmussen and Brekke)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Hearing Dates: February 26, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Many school age children are left unsupervised before and after school while their parents are working or involved in employment-related activities.  These children are referred to as "latchkey" children.  One reason that these children are left alone is that there are not enough affordable, high quality child care centers for them.

Resources for these children are limited.  The Camp Fire Program in south King County operates "Phone Friend," a phone line available from 2:30 to 6:00 pm for latchkey children, and also offers training classes on staying at home alone.  However, this is not enough for less mature children who may be at risk.  It is estimated that there are 56,000 latchkey children in King County alone, between the ages of eight and 13.

In response to this and other child care needs, Congress in 1991 enacted the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program which provided $750 million to the states.  New funds to Washington under the block grant and other federal child care programs total $31 million.  While most of the block grant money is targeted to child care for low income families, approximately 19 percent of the block grant must be used for before and after school or early childhood development programs.

SUMMARY:

The promotion of before-and-after-school child care programs located in or near public school buildings is established as state policy.  Mini-centers are deleted from current policy.

A before-and-after-school child care facility grant program is established.  Grants may be used to expand existing programs or to establish new programs in or near public elementary schools.  Public school districts, educational service districts, governmental, and nonprofit organizations may apply for these grants.  A local match of 25 percent is required when establishing a new program.

Grants may be used for planning and design of facilities and programs, equipment, supplies, materials, and operating expenses for the first six months of a new program.  The Child Care Coordinating Committee will establish grant standards and report to the Legislature on grants awarded.

The Department of Social and Health Services is authorized to fund before-and-after-school child care programs within available federal funds.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 24, 1992