LEGISLATIVE SUMMITA meeting, hosted by D C Insurance Services, Inc. (DCI), was held to discuss the formation of an organization which would cross all association boundaries and deal primarily with legislation effecting all child care providers in the State of California. Forty-four providers representing associations statewide attended (see list), as well as Joe Silverman, Taj O' Toole, Carla O' Connor and Michele Moffitt-Hill from DCI.
Joe welcomed the attendees and acted as facilitator. He gave some history of past legislative efforts, both the successes and failures. It was decided the need for such a group does exist because wether or not the providers are involved, legislation continues to be written that effects each and every family child care providers' ability to do buisness and their income. Legislators are not familiar with the family child care providers community. They do not know what providers do , how they function, and what their needs are. They also have no feel as to the number and power of the provider community because providers have, except for a few isolated instances, not been visible as an organized political force.
The agenda was set, with the input of the participating providers. Following are the principal issues discussed and the results of those discussions:
1.) Should the organization be separate entity? After much disussion, it was decided that this should be a separate group. It was suggested that the group should be a non- profit but the final form was not set at this meeting because there are issues which must be reviewed by legal counsel regarding the fund raising/lobbying capabilities of a non- profit.
2.) What should the organiation be named? The final choice was F.C.C.P.A.C. Which stands for: FAMILY CHILD CARE PROTECTS ALL CHILDREN
3.) What is the purpose or mission statment, of F.C.C.P.A.C.? F.C.C.P.A.C.'s purpose will be to educate legislators regarding issues related To Family Child Care.
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4.) What will be the structure of F.C.C.P.A.C.? The group established a structure with a co- chair consisting of Elda Fontenot from Northern and Anne Foley form Southern Cailfornia. They will coordinate with three providers representing Northern, Central and Southern Cailfornia who in turn will coordinate with providers in each of three regions. These three will then liaison with all the associations within their regions.
The co- chairs will coordinate with the below listed volunteers to establish their areas of responsiblity.
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Nancy Wyatt and Catherine Scott volunteered their services to publish a newsletter for F.C.C.P.A.C. You are urged to support these dedicated providers who have volunteered to undertake a challenging responsiblity to help all License Providers in Cailfornia.
5. What legislation demands immediate response?
It was felt it would be most effective to narrow the group's focus to the following bills. Everyone is encourage to get letters to the Senate Health and Services Committee or call the offices of the members (list attached).
AB 181
"All chilren must be protected. Titles 5 & 22 of the Health and Safety Code are designed to protect the welfare of children in care. No facility should be exempt from the safey standards established by these requirements.
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Exempting sites from these requirments will place children in an unsafe enviorment with and allowing a ratio of 20 children to 1 untrained person who can be as young as 18 is senseless."
Important: This bill will be on June 30,1999
AB910
"According to DSS, over 65% of allegations made against family child care providers in 1998 were unsubstantiated and inconclusive. Providers should be innocent until proven guilty. Placing these type of allegation in the confidential file will eliminate unfair financial hardship and ruined reputations caused by having these in the public profile. While in the private file, DSS will still have the ability to maitain an ongoing history of complaints for reference.
Important : This bill will be heard on June 30, 1999.
SB938
"Existing regulations prevent thousands of needy families a choice of quality child care because of the 50% rule dealing with subsidized care.
Developing additional legislation such as mandatory licensing for all person caring for non- family members, regardless of the number.
Having a small team to meet with the legislators and to appear at hearings . The main theme of F.C.C.P.A.C. is to inform legislators that only family child care providers represent family child care providers.
A newsletter information all licensed providers will be mailed to get them involved so they can understand the value of belonging to F.C.C.P.A.C.
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6. Political action takes money . How will the group find funding ? Suggestions follow: Contributions from individual child care providers. Increase in local associations dues with a part going to F.C.C.P.A.C. Contributions from corporations. Grant money.
This discussion relates back to the final structure. Contributions totaling $365 were given at the meeting and were added to the $2,000 pledge from DCI. All providers are urged to contribute to this "war chest" to improve the business enviorment and income of family childcare providers. F.C.C.P.A.C. doesn't have a bank account nor a treasurer at this time,so Joe Silverman volunteered to keep track of the monies with accounting to be given to the co- chairs.
Rosie Kennedy extended an invitation to a limited number of providers to attend a workshop, sponsored by the San Fransisco Family Child Care Association, to train providers to interact with the media to, better communicate the story of the family child care industry.
A tentive date of August 7, 1999 was set for the next meeting of F.C.C.P.A.C.The meeting closed at 4 p.m.
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