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Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. letter
Paula Broglio to FLOTUS re child care (partial) (1 page)
10/20/1998
P6/b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Domestic Policy Council (Nicole Rabner)
OA/Box Number: 15412
FOLDER TITLE:
Child Care, Affordability
2012-1035-S
kc1014
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)|
Freedom of Information Act - 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
PI National Security Classified Information |(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors. or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. letter
Paula Broglio to FLOTUS re child care (partial) (1 page)
10/20/1998
P6/b(6)
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Domestic Policy Council (Nicole Rabner)
OA/Box Number: 15412
FOLDER TITLE:
Child Care, Affordability
2012-1035-S
kc1014
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act |44 U.S.C. 2204(a)|
Freedom of Information Act 15 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information |(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office |(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information |(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information |(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors |a)(5) of the PRA|
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy |(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy |(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions |(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells |(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
file child care [001]
October 20, 1998
Jr Nicale grys affordantly
Dear Governor,
My name is Paula Broglio, and I work at the University of Maryland. I am a single,
working mother who needs child care at the University of Maryland for my five-year-old
son.
However, there is one hitch: I cannot afford the high fees for child care at my place of
employment.
Governor, this is not just my problem. There are thousands of single parents all over the
state who pay taxes, work long hours, and still can't afford a decent education for their
children. Why? Because we are "blue collar" - and we don't make enough money.
Sir, if you want the support of working families, take the time to read the enclosed articles.
They will show how hard I have worked to make education THE issue November 3rd.
I would like to propose a Blue Collar Panel for Child Care be immediately sponsored with
the next Maryland General Assembly. I would like to serve on the panel. We can explore,
recommend, and move toward passage, a bill that will enable working families to realize
direct tuition incentives for child care needs in the early years - infants through age six - for
families with incomes under $30,000.00
As you can see, I am very passionate about educational issues. I will continue to speak out
until there are changes. I care about Maryland and will work to re-elect you. Please hear
my plea. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Paula Biofio
Paula Broglio
P6/(b)(6)
Adephi, Maryland 20783
P6/(b)(6)
cc:
Mrs. Hillary Rodman Clinton
Honorable Barbara Milkulski
Honorable Steny Hoyer
County Executive Wayne Curry
Delegate Pauline Menes
Delegate Barbara Frush
Delegate Brian Moe
Candidate-elect John Giannetti (cousin)
12A WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1997
USA TODAY
Clintons to tackle child-care issues
Aides won't give specifics
about who should care for chil-
Growing need for child care
dren when parents are working
or otherwise unable to."
about Thursday conference
Women in the workforce
Children's issues have been a
who have children under 18:
66.7%
70.8%
passion for Clinton since the
56.6%
early 1970s, when she worked
By Mimi Hall
ton answered. "I could not
42.4%
as a lawyer at the Children's
USA TODAY
more vividly describe it."
30.4%
Defense Fund, a liberal advoca-
But Clinton couldn't say how
21.6%
cy group. Now she is wading
WASHINGTON - As if on
the White House Conference on
back in to help tackle what the
cue to illustrate the problem
Child Care, which she and Pres-
president calls "the next great
Hillary Rodham Clinton was de-
ident Clinton will host Thurs-
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
1996
frontier" in his effort to help
scribing. secretary and single
day, might help the 38-year-old
working families.
mom Paula Broglio stood up
Adelphi, Md., secretary and her
Source of child care
Weekly cost
In a recent speech at a New-
and presented herself to the
little boy, Vincent.
Child-care arrangements of
of child care
ark church. he ticked off a list
first lady as a living example of
"Your child will be in school
working mothers who have
(in constant 1993 dollars)
of large and small initiatives he
a working woman
before we probably
children under 5 or children
1986
already has promoted: a new
who can't make it on
get much of the
5 to 14:
her own.
changes that I would
Under 5 5-14
$64
TV rating system to alert par-
ents about violent or sexual con-
On a $25,000 sala-
like to see happen,"
Another home
32%
4%
1990
tent, a tobacco settlement that
ry and with no child
she said.
support from her ex-
House
Organized
$72
aims to stop smoking among
White
children, a $500-per-child tax
husband, Broglio
aides are being de-
child-care facility
31%
79%
1993
credit for working families and
lives with her 4-year-
liberately vague
Parental care
22%
9%
$79
a balanced federal budget that
old son in the guest
about what the Clin-
increases funding for health
bedroom of her par-
tons have in mind to
Child's home¹
15%
5%
1 Care provided by baby sitter
care for low-income children.
or someone other than parent.
ents' house so she
address the prob-
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, US
"But we still have to make
can afford $200-a-
Reuters
lems of affordabi-
Child cares for self 0%
3%
Census Bureau: The 1996 Green Book
sure that our parents have ac-
Statistics are the most recent available
month subsidized
Clinton: Passionate
lity, availability and
cess to quality, affordable child
child care at a Cath-
on children's issues
safety in the nation's
care," he said. "That's the great,
olic school while
child-care industry.
By Generieve you. USA TODAY
big hurdle left."
she's at work.
During the 1993-94 health-
TODAY on Tuesday, Hillary
and her aides said she is not
Richard Stolley, president of
"If I did not have that, and I
care debates, they learned that
Clinton wouldn't say what the
necessarily backing ideas she
the Child Care Action Cam-
didn't have my parents, I would
large-scale proposals can bring
administration will propose.
has mentioned recently: creat-
paign. hopes Thursday's confer-
probably have to quit my job
protest from those who see big
"What I'm interested in is
ing a national registry of child-
ence can help convince busi-
and go on welfare, because who
government taking over a re-
putting the spotlight on this is-
care workers who have been
nesses that helping employees
would watch my child during
sponsibility that should be left to
sue and using the White House
convicted of crimes, for exam-
find child care helps productivi-
the day and how could I afford
families and private businesses.
to ignite a national conversa-
ple. or offering protection for
ty. "Business needs to be con-
to live in an apartment?" Brog-
"If you're having a White
tion," she said.
caretakers who fear being sued
vinced there is a bottom line
lio asked earlier this month at
House conference, I suspect
The goal. she said, is to "call
over minor accidents.
benefit," he says.
the University of Maryland,
you think there's a government
national attention to an issue
In her book It Takes a Vil-
But the nation's child-care
where the first lady was speak-
solution," says Gary Bauer of
that political leaders and policy-
lage, Clinton said child care "is
system is in such bad shape, he
ing about her latest effort to in-
the conservative Family Re-
makers should focus on but
an issue that brings out all of
says, that "we're deluding our-
fluence public policy.
search Council.
which has often been ignored."
our conflicted feelings about
selves if we think this is going to
"That is the problem." Clin-
In an interview with USA
She wouldn't talk specifics,
what parenthood should be and
make an enormous difference."
S
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1997
A9
THE WASHINGTON POST
First Lady Presses Child-Care Reform
DEFENSE
In U-Md. Speech, Clinton Praises Center There and One at Quantico
Czech President Havel Says
By Jackie Spinner
ence on child care planned for Oct. 23.
told Clinton that she had tried to enroll
Washington Post Staff Writer
Upon her arrival in the auditorium, she
her own 4-year-old in the Center for
Dangers Justify Larger NAT(
was greeted with thunderous applause
Young Children but could not afford the
Czech President Vaclav Havel said yesterday
First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
and a standing ovation She gave her
fees.
danger of war still exists and expanding NAT
visited a child care center at the Univer
address in front of a huge red. white
The center enrolls 120 children, ages
worth the cost if it contributes to greater 111
sity of Maryland at College Park yester-
3 to kindergarten. The day-care center
Europe.
day and later in a speech used the
has a sliding fee scale, but Broglio said
Opponents of the expansion that would brin-
occasion to repeat her call for reform in
"We have to do
she would still have to pay $500 a month,
country, Poland and Hungary into the 16-n
the nation's day-care industry.
which is 25 percent of her salary
alliance are "extremely naive, shortsighted and
Addressing a crowd of 1,300 universi
more to support
Broglio said that if she didn't have the
dangerous." Havel said.
ly students and faculty and staff mem-
help of her parents, she would have to
With Czech-born Secretary of State Madelein
bers in a packed Tawes Theatre audito-
those parents
quit her job and go on welfare.
Albright listening and hearings on NATO enl
rium on campus, Clinton said the
"The biggest problem out there is
ment to start in the Senate next week. Havel sai
university's Center for Young Children,
and a similar facility she visited at
who are trying to do
affordable. good-quality day care."
country is ready to pay for pushing the allia
borders eastward toward Russia.
Quantico Marine Corps Base this week,
Broglio said. "I can't find it."
are rare examples of quality child care.
the best they can."
In response. Clinton said Broglio is "a
"Any judicious person must admit that
expenditure is worth it," he said. "Has it not
She said the U.S. military's approach
Hillary Rodham Clinton
perfect example of the kind of problem
established beyond doubt that even the most
in particular should be a model for the
I'm rying to illustrate."
preventive security is cheaper than the che,
workplace.
and blue banner that proclaimed. "Bet-
She said the October conference at
war?"
"There are certainly differences be
ter Child Care for a Better America."
the White House will address the issue
In the aftermath of the Cold War, Havel decl
tween the military and civilian sector,
Clinton had warm praise for the
of affordable child care and other is-
the world is "covered with innumerable danger
but I believe the militar experience can
university's child-care center, where she
sues, including the need for day care for
are diverse, decentralized and yet inter twined."
serve as a beacon for the American
met with a group of year-olds.
school age children.
Albright introduced the former Czech diss
workplace in general." Clinton said.
"This is a place where children are
"We need more subsidies for working
who helped topple the Communist regime in
"When parents don't have to come to
treasured and valued and stimulated, a
parents. particularly single parents."
country in 1989 as a "serial truth-teller"
work feeling concerned about how their
place that any of us would happily stay
Clinton said. "If we are going to have a
He received the 1997 J. William Fulbright A
children are doing, they can make a
for juice and nap-time any day," she said.
policy in our country of ending welfare
named for the late nationalist Democratic
more positive contribution that benefits
"But that center is far too rare."
and expecting everyone to work, we
tor from Arkansas who sponsored a program 11
all of us."
Later, when audience members were
have to do more to support those
which thousands of Americans have studied abi
The first lady's visit was intended to
invited to ask the first lady questions,
parents with children who are trying to
Past recipients include South African Presi
set the stage for a White House confer-
Paula J. Broglio. a university secretary,
do the best they can."
Kids' Habitat at Fair Lakes Center
Grand Opening
Bamel's Big Patio
Clearance Sale
50-70% OFFA L
8
Outlook November 4, 1997
Maryland Spotlight
Paula Broglio Speaks out on Child Care, Gets White House Invite
Paula Broglio knows too well the frustration of
with its fee policy. "I felt that I was speak-
finding good, affordable day care for her child. The
ing for the lower income employees on
divorced mother of a 4-year-old, who receives no
campus." Many of those employees
child support from her ex-husband, must provide for
approached her afterward to thank her for
herself and her son on $25,000 a year.
speaking out. Calls and e-mails followed.
So when Hillary Rodham Clinton came to campus
Broglio says she encountered similar
last month to
high costs at other centers
talk about
she visited. Eventually she
Better Child
was able to find subsidized
Care for a
child care at a nearby
Better America.
Catholic school, paying only
Broglio made
$200 per month. "If I didn't
sure she was
have that, and I didn't have
there. Three
my parents [with whom she
weeks later. the
lives]. I would probably have
secretary in the
to quit my job and go on
Maryland
welfare, because who would
English Institute
watch my child during the
was a personal
day and how could I afford
Paula Broglio had a guest snap this photo of her with Hillary
guest of the
to live in an apartment?"
Rodham Clinton at the recent White House conference on child
first lady at the
Broglio asked Clinton at the
care. Clinton Invited Broglio after hearing about her frustrations
White House
Tawes Theatre event.
as a divorced mother trying to find affordable, quality day care for
conference on
Broglio's forthrightness
her 4-year-old son.
child care.
impressed the first lady. who
Following
asked her chief of staff.
her remarks at
Melanne Verveer, to call Broglio and
kiss on her check and requesting that they have their
Tawes Theatre.
send her an invitation.
photo taken together Clinton also insisted that
Mrs. Clinton
"Melanne told me I was like a house-
Broglio attend the post-conference reception on the
invited members of the audience to ask questions.
hold name around the White House." says Broglio.
White House lawn.
First in line at the microphone was Broglio.
"Both she and Mrs. Clinton told me, I don't think you
"I have a lot of respect for Mrs. Clinton," says
"She had been talking about having toured the uni-
realize what an impact you had on this conference."
Broglio. "She's driven to make a difference and she
versity's Center for Young Children and how it was in
On Oct. 23, Broglio attended the White House con-
really cares. She is a very classy, nice person who
the top 10 percent of quality day care centers in the
ference. She was joined by such notables as Sen. Ted
makes people like me feel good."
country." says Broglio. "The CYC is a very good
Kennedy, producer/director Rob Reiner, famed pedia-
Since returning from the White House event.
school." she says. "but I wanted to let her know that
trician and author T. Berry Brazelton, National
Broglio has sent letters to some of the people she met
it's not available to everyone. If you don't have
Women's Law Center president Nancy Duff Campbell.
at the conference. "I"m interested in doing whatever I
money, you don't have a choice in quality day care."
Bishop Joseph Sullivan of New York and others.
can to help this [better child care) campaign," she
Broglio had tried to enroll her son in the CYC pro-
During her opening remarks, the first lady intro-
says.
gram, but she found that even with a sliding scale, she
duced Broglio, who the USA Today described as "a liv.
"This child care issue is about everyone," says
would have to pay $500 per month for him to attend.
ing example of a working woman who can't make it
Broglio. "I was just lucky enough to be able to speak
That's nearly half her take-home pay.
on her own." Mrs. Clinton also personally greeted
to [Mrs. Clinton]."
Broglio says she has no battle with the CYC, just
Broglio later, calling her by her first name. planting a
UNITED STATES SENATE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND FAMILY POLICY
Hearing on Child Care
Wednesday, April 22, 1998; 10:00 a.m.
SD-215 Dirksen Senate Office Building
WITNESS LIST
I.
The Honorable Christopher J. Dodd, United States Senator from the State
of Connecticut
II.
A panel consisting of:
Ms. Paula Broglio; Adelphi, MD
Ms. Susan Elizabeth Dutcher; Edmond, OK
Ms. Jolene Ivey, President, MOCHA Moms; Cheverly, MD
Ms. Susan Muenchow, Executive Director, Florida Children's Forum;
Tallahassee, FL
Ms. Beverly Smith: Hyattsville, MD
III.
A panel consisting of:
Mr. Bob Hallenbeck, Vice President, ECS, Inc.; Exton, PA
Ms. Donna Kline, Director, Work Life Services, Marriot International;
Washington, DC
Ms. Donna Munday, Senior Vice President for External Affairs, UNUM;
Portland, ME
WITNESS LIST
IV. A panel consisting of:
The Honorable Rochelle Chronister, Secretary, Kansas Department of
Social and Rehabilitation Services; Topeka, KS
The Honorable Bernard A. Jackvony, Lieutenant Governor, State of
Rhode Island; Providence. RI
Ms. Christine C. Ferguson, Director, Rhode Island Department of Human
Services; Cranston, RI
Mr. Mark Nadel. Associate Director for Income Security, Department of
Health, Education and Human Services, General Accounting Office;
Washington, DC
THE, WASHINGTON POST
COMH
JUDY
Child Care: A Casualty of Ugly Politics
n January, after a White House seance on the
greater use of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana
importance of childhood development,
than those under adult supervision.
President Clinton offerred a $21.7 billion,
Full day care costs $4,000 to $10,000, quite a
five-year proposal that raised hopes that the
pill to swallow for the half of families with young
nation might increase its child-care resources.
children who have incomes under $35,000 a year.
before the dawn of the next century.
While there are subsidies for low-income families
This happened just before Clinton's intern-care
for child care, there is not enough money, and only
problems nuked into oblivion everything else on
one in 10 eligible children get help.
the political landscape. As the 105th Congress
Welfare reform, which is forcing low-income
mercifully slunk off into the hinterland, dozens of
women into the work force, is putting even more
child-care bills introduced by both Republicans
pressure on the child-care system. The New York
and Democrats lay in the dust of ground zero.
state comptroller has estimated that by 2001,
Politicians covered their flanks to some extent
welfare-to-work programs will put 61,000 children
by reauthorizing Head Start and, at the last
in day care. There is now space for only 28,000.
minute, adding more money for school-based care,
and by providing funding for snacks for older
This is not lost on voters. Members of Congress
children in these programs. They expanded the
who are looking for something other than smut to
child-care block grant program and gave more
talk about during the remaining weeks of the
money to campus-based child care. But these gains
campaign should latch onto a poll that came out
were "nothing like the $21.7 billion Clinton had
this month by Opinion Research Corp. of
proposed, "says Helen Blank, of the Children's
Princeton, N.J. The poll, commission by the
Defense Fund, and came nowhere close to filling
Children's Defense Fund and the Child Care,
the need!
Action Campaign, sampled 1,013 households in
One thing everyone seems to agree on is that
August.
the acute shortage of safe, affordable and reliable
More than half of those surveyed said they
day care is not going to resolve itself with a single,
would be extremely likely or very likely to vote for
bold touch of a magic wand. Rep. Carolyn B.
a candidate who helped low-income working
Maloney (D-N.Y.) offered one approach with a bill
families afford good child care, and 29 percent said
that would have guaranteed loans to day-care
they were somewhat likely to vote for such a
providers to bring their facilities up to code. It also
candidate. Nearly 70 percent said they would back
would have made liability insurance more
candidates who supported after-school programs
accessible. Maloney describes her bill, which she
or other programs that kept teenagers off the
calls "Kiddie Mac," as "only one building block in
streets. And 73 percent said the federal
completing the foundation for quality care in this
government should provide assistance to help pay
country."
for child care since it already helps working
Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.) had a bill
families pay college tuition.
that would have given federal employees greater
In households with children younger than 6,
access to child-care services. Rep. Barbara B.
70 percent of the respondents said finding good,
Kennelly (D-Conn.) offered a bill that would have
affordable care was very difficult. The White
increased the tax credit for dependent care for
House's efforts to educate the public about the link
working parents, while also providing an
between early childhood development and future
equivalent benefit for families where one parent
educational accomplishment are paying off: 68
stays at home to care for a child younger than 4.
percent of those polled said they were very likely
The range of bills reflects the need for a variety of
to vote for a candidate who supports child care and
measures that ultimately will create a sustainable
child-care infrastructure that meets the needs of
preschool activities "so all children can enter
the American work force.
school ready to learn."
This should be one of our top political priorities.
One of the most striking findings in the poll was
The current state of child care is a nightmare for
a gender gap on each question that averaged about
far too many parents, and it is a disgrace for the
15 points, with 66 percent of women saying it was
nation. While other industrialized countries take
extremely or very difficult to find good, affordable
care of their children-many have done so since
child care and 52 percent of men answering the
the end of World War II-the richest nation on
same way, for example.
Earth continues to beggar its families on child
That child care resonates more deeply with
care.
women than men is not surprising. What may
The results are a devastating indictment of
surprise many members of Congress, though, is
how America minds its children. According to
how important the crisis in child care has become
the Children's Defense Fund, 13 million
to so many voters. Child care hits families where
preschoölers, three out of every five young
they live.
children, are in child care. Nearly 5 million
This year started out bright with the promise of
'children ages 5 to 12 are left home alone after
relief, but both the White House and Congress
school, the hours when juvenile crime spikes.
squandered a wonderful opportunity to help
A 1990 study by the fund found that
families. This is one of the saddest
eighth-graders left alone after school had
this grim political season.
WASHINGTON POST
COMI
JUDY
Child Care: A Casualty of Ugly Politics
n January, after a White House seance on the
greater use of cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana
importance of childhood development,
than those under adult supervision.
President Clinton offerred a $21.7 billion,
Full day care costs $4,000 to $10,000, quite a
five-year proposal that raised hopes that the
pill to swallow for the half of families with young
nation might increase its child-care resources
children who have incomes under $35,000 a year.
before the dawn of the next century
While there are subsidies for low-income families
This happened just before Clinton's intern-care
for child care, there is not enough money, and only
problems nuked into oblivion everything else on
one in 10 eligible children get help.
the political landscape. As the 105th Congress
Welfare reform, which is forcing low-income
mercifully slunk off into the hinterland, dozens of
women into the work force, is putting even more
child-care bills introduced by both Republicans
pressure on the child-care system. The New York
and Democrats lay in the dust of ground zero.
state comptroller has estimated that by 2001,
Politicians covered their flanks to some extent
welfare-to-work programs will put 61,000 children
by reauthorizing Head Start and, at the last
in day care. There is now space for only 28,000.
minute, adding more money for school-based care,
and by providing funding for snacks for older
This is not lost on voters. Members of Congress
children in these programs. They expanded the
who are looking for something other than smut to
child-care block grant program and gave more
talk about during the remaining weeks of the
money to campus-based child care. But these gains
campaign should latch onto a poll that came out
were "nothing like the $21.7 billion Clinton had
this month by Opinion Research Corp. of
proposed," says Helen Blank, of the Children's
Princeton, N.J. The poll, commission by the
Defense Fund, and came nowhere close to filling
Children's Defense Fund and the Child Care
the need.
Action Campaign, sampled 1,013 households in
One thing everyone seems to agree on is that
August.
the acute shortage of safe, affordable and reliable
More than half of those surveyed said they
day care is not going to resolve itself with a single,
would be extremely likely or very likely to vote for
bold touch of a magic wand. Rep. Carolyn B.
a candidate who helped low-income working
Maloney (D-N.Y.) offered one approach with a bill
families afford good child care, and 29 percent said
that would have guaranteed loans to day-care
they were somewhat likely to vote for such a
providers to bring their facilities up to code. It also
candidate. Nearly 70 percent said they would back
would have made liability insurance more
candidates who supported after-school programs
accessible. Maloney describes her bill, which she
or other programs that kept teenagers off the
calls Kiddie Mac," as "only one building block in
streets. And 73 percent said the federal
completing the foundation for quality care in this
government should provide assistance to help pay
country."
for child care since it already helps working
Rep. Constance A. Morella (R-Md.) had a bill
families pay college tuition.
that would have given federal employees greater
In households with children younger than 6,
access to child-care services. Rep. Barbara B.
70 percent of the respondents said finding good,
Kennelly (D-Conn.) offered a bill that would have
affordable care was very difficult. The White
increased the tax credit for dependent care for
House's efforts to educate the public about the link
working parents, while also providing an
between early childhood development and future
equivalent benefit for families where one parent
educational accomplishment are paying off: 68
stays at home to care for a child younger than 4.
percent of those polled said they were very likely
The range of bills reflects the need for a variety of
to vote for a candidate who supports child care and
measures that ultimately will create a sustainable
child-care infrastructure that meets the needs of
preschool activities "so all children can enter
the American work force.
school ready to learn."
This should be one of our top political priorities.
One of the most striking findings in the poll was
The current state of child care is a nightmare for
a gender gap on each question that averaged about
far too many parents, and it is a disgrace for the
15 points, with 66 percent of women saying it was
nation. While other industrialized countries take
extremely or very difficult to find good, affordable
care of their children-many have done so since
child care and 52 percent of men answering the
the end of World War II-the richest nation on
same way, for example.
Earth continues to beggar its families on child
That child care resonates more deeply with
care.
women than men is not surprising. What may
The results are a devastating indictment of
surprise many members of Congress, though, is
how America minds its children. According to
how important the crisis in child care has become
the Children's Defense Fund, 13 million
to so many voters. Child care hits families where
preschoolers, three out of every five young
they live.
children, are in child care. Nearly 5 million
This year started out bright with the promise of
children ages 5 to 12 are left home alone after
relief, but both the White House and Congress
school, the hours when juvenile crime spikes.
squandered a wonderful opportunity to help
A 1990 study by the fund found that
families. This is one of the saddest
eighth-graders left alone after school had
this grim political season.