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City of Seattle
NOTE: This news release has been retained for historical use ONLY! While the text was accurate at the date of the release, the contact information may be out of date.
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Child Care In The Face Of Welfare Reform: Who’s minding the children?
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/24/1998 |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diane Piña (206) 684-0549
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Child Care In The Face Of
Welfare Reform: Who’s minding the children?
A public forum with state and local officials, "Child
Care and Welfare Reform: Who’s minding the children?" is scheduled to take place
on Wednesday, December 2, 1998, at Seattle City Council Chambers, on the 11th
floor of the Municipal Building, 4th Avenue and Cherry Street. The Forum will
last from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Providing a solid foundation and education for our
children is among our city’s top priorities; yet the availability, quality, and costs
of child care - especially for low-income families and families below poverty level - are
becoming ever so unattainable and not adequately addressed. Sponsored by the Seattle
Women’s Commission, this forum is intended to bring more attention to child care
problems and to call for workable solutions.
Mayor Paul Schell, Councilmember Peter Steinbrueck, State
Senator Jeanne Kohl, and State Representative Kip Tokuda are among policy makers who will
participate in a roundtable discussion. WorkFirst parents with concerns about
accessibility, quality, and high cost of care for their children will make statements.
"Parents who are going from welfare to work are
really in a bind about child care," said Commissioner Janice Jackson of the Seattle
Women’s Commission. "Only 59% of all child care providers accept the subsidy
program offered by state and local agencies; choices are therefore limited. There are
consistent concerns about health and safety standards, and hours of operation. Often times
it’s problems with child care that keep parents from working. This defeats the whole
purpose of the new welfare law. We’ve heard about a lot of problems, and they need to
be adequately addressed."
The Seattle Women’s Commission is a volunteer
citizens board that advises the Mayor, the Seattle City Council, and all City departments
on issues of concern to women.
For more information about the Commission or about this
public forum, including a complete list of supporters and participants, please contact
Diane Piña at (206) 684-0549 or via e-mail at: diane.pina@ci.seattle.wa.us
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Seattle Office For
Civil Rights
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