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Mary Kate Grant Subject Files
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Grant, Mary Kate, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1991
OA/ID Number:
13878
Folder ID Number:
13878-015
Folder Title:
Child Care Program, 8/89
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19
2
7
3
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 2, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR MARY KATE GRANT
FROM:
LARRY LINDSEY
SUBJECT:
Presidential Message in Pre-K Today Magazine
We would like to have the attached letter from the President
printed in Pre-K Today magazine. They have agreed to devote the
center spread of its November/December issue to the letter.
This issue will distributed at annual conventions of early
childhood professionals and so will have about triple the
magazine's usual circulation. It would provide an ideal forum
for the President's views, since it is typically read by child
care providers and parents of preschool-age children.
Any help you could provide in shepherding this through the
approval process would be greatly appreciated, as the deadline
for submission of materials to Pre-K Today is approaching
rapidly.
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious
resource, its young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children, helping them
discover their world, knowing that you have had a hand in
encouraging them to master new concepts and lay a foundation for
a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
are also an important support and resource to parents who depend
on your services. This is such a vitally important task. In the
days when my children were young, raising children was not as
complicated as it is now. Today, increasing numbers of parents
work outside the home and so shoulder dual responsibilities at
home and in the workplace. The increase in the number of
mothers who work outside of the home has increased immensely, and
is likely to continue to increase, as is the demand for child
care services.
I am concerned about the challenges families are facing
especially with regards to caring for their children. I believe
that the government, with the right assistance, can help
alleviate some of the stress in family life. I proposed to do
this by directing my cabinet to undertake a number of
initiatives which would encourage a broad range of child care
choices for parents. I also proposed a child credit to help low
and moderate income families care for their children.
But government assistance is not enough. Whether they
choose a family day care home for their children, a church-based
child care, or other child care facility, parents need the
assurance that their children are spending their days with
knowledgeable and loving adults who enjoy being with children.
Your dedication to the child care profession, and your support of
parents who entrust their children to your care, are helping
parents as they struggle toward building a better life for
themselves and their children. You should be proud of your
efforts. You are, as many parents have told me, the most
important person in the lives of working families.
I hold a great deal of esteem for your work and salute your
efforts.
George Bush
WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
While I was campaigning for the Presidency of the United
Sates, I told the American people of my concern about the
availability and quality of child care. I highlighted the need
for a children's tax credit which would help low income families
offset child care costs and choose the kind of care they wanted
for their children. I also talked about a number of initiatives
that I would encourage as President in order to increase support
of child care, create or expand before and after school programs
to address the latchkey children issue, and develop consumer
education programs to help parents make informed choices about
child care.
I have not forgotten my promises. As soon as I took office
in January of this year, I directed my staff to work on the
matter of child care and have asked my cabinet to submit to me
their plans for addressing the issue. We will be instituting
various initiatives in the next several months to work toward my
promises to you for a better life in America.
I have asked Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole to continue to
study the liability issue in child care since this is one major
stumbling block to the development of child care facilities, and
to make recommendations about ways to overcome this problem.
We also established a national information clearinghouse on
child care that has its own toll free number. I am happy to say
that parents all over the country will be able to call us with
questions they have regarding child care. The number is 1-800-_.
The Small Business Administration has just published a
booklet for individuals and small business wishing to establish a
child care facility. I have asked SBA Administrator Susan
Engeleiter to distribute this booklet to each state and to make
individuals all over the country aware of how they can get a
copy.
I have also directed Ms. Engeleiter to hold a series of
regional meetings to provide technical support to individuals
wishing to establish child care facilities in their businesses
and for individuals who wish to establish neighborhood facilities
in their homes.
Additionally, I have asked Bonnie Guiton, my Advisor for
Consumer Affairs, to include child care information in a consumer
resources handbook, making people aware of how they can obtain
more information in their local communities about the child care
options that are available.
Finally, realizing that various government agencies are working
on child care, I have put in charge an interagency coordination study
that will address any duplication of efforts and help ensure a cost-
effective, streamlined approach to the solution of problems.
Document No. 065181 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/18/89
8/22/89 4:00 PM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
-
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, with a copy to
my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
of
20
89 AUG 23 23 All : 32
James W. Cicconi
Jmm
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Document No. 065181 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/18/89
8/22/89 4:00 PM
ACION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE N/C phone
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER N/C plurne
DARMAN Has Comments additional
STUDDERT
BATES N/C plune
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY N/C phone
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, with a copy to
my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
81 : Sd 81 AUG 68
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
August 17, 1989
Draft two
A:PRE-K
1989 AUG 18 FII 3.
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious resource,
our young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children -- helping them
discover the world, encouraging them to learn new concepts,
laying a foundation for a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
also provide important support to parents who depend on you. You
as more mathers Jain the workforce,
are a vital resource. Today, more and more parents work outside
the home and meeting the demands of work and family is often
and the
need
difficulty And, as more mothers join the workforce the demand
continues to increase,
for child care services is increasing
I am concerned about the challenges facing families today.
by providing
Government, with the right assistance, can help alleviate some of
pressures
the stress in family life. This Administration is undertaking a
enhance the range of child Care Choices
number of initiatives which would put choice in the hands of
availbable to families.
working parents. Our child care tax credit proposal will help
low- and moderate-income families care for their children.
However, government assistance is only a beginning. Whether
they choose family care, church-based child care, or other child
arringements
care facilities, parents need to know that their children are
committed
spending their days with knowl edgeable and loving adults. Your
dedication to the child care profession, and your support for
IS
every where
working parents are helping families build a better life for
themselves.
you are a Fremendawsly)
as many parents have told me, / the most important
part, of
person in theMives. of working parents. I hold a great deal of
your work
m high esteem for your work and salute your efforts.
George Bush
BUSH ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
no
BF,
Child Care: On March 15, 1989, the President transmitted the
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 to the Congress.
Low-income families, in which a parent works, would be eligible
new
for a tax credit of up to $1000 per child under age four. This
child credit would be refundable) and, thus, available The existing to Dependent and
child core TAX
families who have no income tax liability. Families would be Credit also
wouldbe
free to choose the kind of child care that best suits their needs made
-- care through relatives, neighbors, child care centers or
referedoble
religiously-affiliated care.
The President believes that parents are the best judges of
quality care and know what is in their children's best interest.
The Administration's proposals are designed to give parents
discretion to make decisions about their children's care, and to
increase -- not decrease -- the range of options available to
parents.
Head Start: President Bush also transmitted to Congress the
Head Start Amendments of 1989, which would increase funding to
pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more disadvantaged four-
is.design Drimarily 40 give more poor children
year olds This expansion would increase the range of choices a better
Storten
available to low-income families in meeting their child care
1, fe,it
needs.
also
In addition to the legislation sent to Congress,
Administration initiatives on child care so far include:
Liability Insurance: Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole will
be studying and making recommendations on the liability insurance
issue in child care, to determine the impact on the development
of child care facilities.
Information Clearinghouse: The Administration has
work and Smely
established a national information clearinghouse on child care issues,
Businesses
the Depor ment of hobor
Parents will be able to call toll-free with any questions they
needs
the wide rouge
have regarding child care% (The number is 1 800
)
to
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
them to help
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
meet their
emp Joeyees
provide technical support for individuals establishing child care
facilities in their businesses, and for individuals organizing
neighborhood facilities in their homes. The S.B.A. has just
acompulensive 5515tance monual
interested in
published a booklet for individuals and small businesses creating
Providers (Thismanual
becomeng child care facilities which will be distributed in every state.
Consumer Resources Handbook: Child care information will
also be included in a consumer resources handbook, so increasing that
ness
citizens can be made aware of how they can obtain more
information in their local communities about the available child
care options.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 23, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON
cw
FROM:
MARY KATE GRANT mkg
SUBJECT:
PROPOSED MESSAGE FOR PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
I. SUMMARY
Attached for your review is a proposed message for
publication in Pre-K Today Magazine, in the center spread of its
November/December issue.
II. DISCUSSION
This issue will be distributed at annual conventions of
early childhood professionals, and so will have about triple the
magazine's usual circulation of 50,000. It is typically read by
child care providers and parents of preschool-age children.
August 23, 1989
Draft three
A:PRE-K
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious resource,
our young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children -- helping them
discover the world, encouraging them to learn new concepts,
laying a foundation for a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
also provide important support to parents who depend on you.
Today, as more mothers join the workforce, meeting the demands of
work and family is often difficult and the need for child care
services continues to increase.
I am concerned about the challenges facing families today.
Government, by providing the right assistance, can help alleviate
some of the pressures in family life. This Administration is
undertaking a number of initiatives which enhance the range of
child care choices available to working families. Our child care
tax credit proposal will help low- and moderate-income families
care for their children.
However, government assistance is only a beginning. Whether
they choose family care, church-based child care, or other child
care arrangements, parents need to know that their children are
spending their days with committed and loving adults. Your
dedication to the child care profession, and your support is
helping families everywhere build a better life for themselves.
As many parents have told me, you are a tremendously
important part of their lives. I hold your work in high esteem
and salute your efforts.
George Bush
BUSH ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
Child Care: On March 15, 1989, the President transmitted the
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 to the Congress.
Low-income families, in which a parent works, would be eligible
for a new tax credit of up to $1000 per child under age four.
This child credit would be refundable and, thus, available to
families who have no income tax liability. The existing
Dependent and Child Care Tax Credit also would be made
refundable. Families would be free to choose the kind of child
care that best suits their needs -- care through relatives,
neighbors, child care centers or religiously-affiliated care.
The President believes that parents are the best judges of
quality care and know what is in their children's best interest.
The Administration's proposals are designed to give parents
discretion to make decisions about their children's care, and to
increase -- not decrease -- the range of options available to
parents.
Head Start: President Bush also transmitted to Congress the
Head Start Amendments of 1989, which would increase funding to
pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more disadvantaged four-
year olds. While this expansion is designed primarily to give
more poor children a better start in life, it also would increase
the range of choices available to low-income families in meeting
their child care needs.
In addition to the legislation sent to Congress,
Administration initiatives on child care SO far include:
Liability Insurance: Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole is
conducting a study to determine whether market barriers are
preventing employers from obtaining liability insurance needed
for child care centers on or near their employees' worksites and,
if so, to identify strategies for removing them.
Information Clearinghouse: The Administration has
established a national information clearinghouse on work and
family issues. Businesses will be able to call the Department of
Labor with any questions they have regarding the wide range of
options available to them to help meet their employees' child
care needs.
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
provide technical support for individuals establishing child care
facilities in their businesses, and for individuals organizing
neighborhood facilities in their homes. The S.B.A. has just
published a comprehensive assistance manual for individuals and
small businesses interested in becoming child care providers.
This manual will be distributed in every state.
Consumer Resources Handbook: Child care information will
also be included in a consumer resources handbook, increasing
citizens awareness of how they can obtain more information in
their local communities about available child care options.
# # #
Document No. 065181 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/18/89
8/22/89 4:00 PM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, with a copy to
my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
bs/eels AUG 23 26 A9:26
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
89 AUG 22 P12: 10
August 22, 1989
Memorandum to Chriss Winston
From:
Jim Pinkerto X
Subject:
Draft Presidential Message to Pre-K Today Magazine
pg. 1, paras. 2-4 This draft would be improved if the tone of
the language on page one were lightened slightly to convey: a)
the sense that childrearing is generally a joyful thing, and b)
the idea that the President looks forward to meeting the
challenges posed by working families. As it is now, the first
page contains a lot of wrinkled-brow concern about both child-
rearing and the President's attitude toward it, viz. , "at times
frustrating, "often difficult," "demand is increasing, = "I am
concerned, "alleviate some of the stress.
"
Language that makes it clearer that the President views the
challenges facing working parents today as opportunities for
constructive change and for testing fresh ideas, and that he has
in fact put forward a bold new approach to help parents care for
children, will get across the message that President Bush is less
a worrier than he is an active, can-do leader. In addition,
language that portrays childrearing as a generally 'blessed
event' will get across the message that the President's program
is put forward in the spirit of helpfulness rather than grim
obligation.
pg. 1, para. 3, line 3 "Today, more and more parents work
outside the home
"
Of course, parents have always worked
outside the home. If we mean that more and more, both parents
are working outside the home, then we should say so, but note
that this is largely redundant with the next sentence "And, as
more mothers join the workforce
"
1,4,3
The word "stress" has become a bit trendy and jargony.
Even the local Learning Center's catalogue seems to recognize
this fact. It offers a seminar entitled something like, "Not
Just Another Seminar On Alleviating Stress. " We suggest an
alternative such as "pressures."
(more)
2-2-2
1,4,5
Instead of saying that we are putting "choice in the
hands of working parents, " which may suggest only two-earner
families, we suggest saying "choice in the hands of parents,
including families in which both parents work." This will make
it clearer that the child care tax credit is neutral as to
whether the mother works or not -- an important principle of the
President's proposal.
2,2,1
"You are
the most important person in the lives of
working parents. " Because the children of the parents are the
presumabley most important person in their lives, we should
qualify this somehow, perhaps by using instead "You are
one of
the most important people
"
###
Document No. 065/81 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/18/89
8/22/89 4:00 PM
ACION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, with a copy to
my office. Thanks.
All comments
RESPONSE:
01 : Page 12 GUG 68
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
August 17, 1989
Draft two
A:PRE-K
1989 AUG 18 PHONE
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious resource,
our young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children -- helping them
discover the world, encouraging them to learn new concepts,
laying a foundation for a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
also provide important support to parents who depend on you. You
are a vital resource. Today, more and more parents work outside
the home, and meeting the demands of work and family is often
difficult. And, as more mothers join the workforce, the demand
for child care services is increasing.
I am concerned about the challenges facing families today.
Government, with the right assistance, can help alleviate some of
the stress in family life. This Administration is undertaking a
number of initiatives which would put choice in the hands of
working parents. Our child care tax credit proposal will help
low- and moderate-income families care for their children.
However, government assistance is only a beginning. Whether
they choose family care, church-based child care, or other child
care facilities, parents need to know that their children are
spending their days with knowledgeable and loving adults. Your
dedication to the child care profession, and your support for
is
everywhere
working parents, are helping families n build a better life for
themselves.
You are, territhment as many parents have told me, the most important
a
Part
of
person in the lives. of working parents. I hold a great deal of
esteem for your work and salute your efforts.
George Bush
BUSH ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
Child Care: On March 15, 1989, the President transmitted the
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 to the Congress.
Low-income families, in which a parent works, would be eligible
for a tax credit of up to $1000 per child under age four. This
child credit would be refundable, and, thus, available to
families who have no income tax liability. Families would be
free to choose the kind of child care that best suits their needs
-- care through relatives, neighbors, child care centers or
religiously-affiliated care.
The President believes that parents are the best judges of
quality care and know what is in their children's best interest.
The Administration's proposals are designed to give parents
discretion to make decisions about their children's care, and to
increase -- not decrease -- the range of options available to
parents.
Head Start: President Bush also transmitted to Congress the
Head Start Amendments of 1989, which would increase funding to
pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more disadvantaged four-
year olds. This expansion would increase the range of choices
available to low-income families in meeting their child care
needs.
In addition to the legislation sent to Congress,
Administration initiatives on child care so far include:
Liability Insurance: Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole will
be studying and making recommendations on the liability insurance
issue in child care, to determine the impact on the development
of child care facilities.
Information Clearinghouse: The Administration has
established a national information clearinghouse on child care.
Parents will be able to call toll-free with any questions they
have regarding child care. (The number is 1-800-
)
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
provide technical support for individuals establishing child care
facilities in their businesses, and for individuals organizing
neighborhood facilities in their homes. The S.B.A. has just
published a booklet for individuals and small businesses creating
child care facilities which will be distributed in every state.
Consumer Resources Handbook: Child care information will
also be included in a consumer resources handbook, so that
citizens can be made aware of how they can obtain more
information in their local communities about the available child
care options.
# # #
Document No. 065181 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
DATE:
8/18/899
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMEN DUE BY:
8/22/89 4:00 PM
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE TO PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Tuesday, August 22, with a copy to
my office. Thanks.
RESPONSE:
See Comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
August 17, 1989
Draft two
A:PRE-K
1900 NUB
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious resource,
our young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children -- helping them
discover the world, encouraging them to learn new concepts,
laying a foundation for a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
also provide important support to parents who depend on you. You
are a vital resource. Today, more and more parents work outside
the home, and meeting the demands of work and family is often
difficult. And, as more mothers join the workforce, the demand
for child care services is increasing
I am concerned about the challenges facing families today.
Holen 45178
by providing
Government, with the right assistance, can help alleviate some of
the stress in family life. This Administration is undertaking a
enhance the range ofchild care choices available
number of initiatives which would put choice in the hands of
to
families
Seenote
attached
working parents. Our child care tax credit proposal will help
low- and moderate-income families care for their children.
However, government assistance is only a beginning. Whether
they choose family care, church-based child care, or other child
anangements
care facilities, parents need to know that their children are
commited
spending their days with knowledgeable and loving adults. Your
dedication to the child care profession, and your support for
working parents are helping families build a better life for
themselves.
You are, as many parents have told me, the most important
person in the lives of working parents. I hold a great deal of
in high esteem for your work and salute your efforts.
George Bush
BUSH ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
hold?
Child Care: On March 15, 1989, the President transmitted the
Holing
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 to the Congress.
Low-income families, in which a parent works, would be eligible
new
for a tax credit of up to $1000 per child under age four. This
child credit would be refundable and, thus, available to
The existing Dependent and
families who have no income tax liability. Families would be Child.care Taxcredit
free to choose the kind of child care that best suits their needs also
would be
-- care through relatives, neighbors, child care centers or
made
refundable,
religiously-affiliated care.
The President believes that parents are the best judges of
quality care and know what is in their children's best interest.
The Administration's proposals are designed to give parents
discretion to make decisions about their children's care, and to
increase -- not decrease -- the range of options available to
parents.
Holeve
Head Start: President Bush also transmitted to Congress the
Head Start Amendments of 1989, which would increase funding to
pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more disadvantaged four-
while
is designed primarily to give morepoorhildren
See
Notez
year olds. This expansion would increase the range of choices a better
attached
start in
available to low-income families in meeting their child care
life it
needs.
also
In addition to the legislation sent to Congress,
Administration initiatives on child care so far include:
see tached Note3
Liability Insurance: Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole will
Holery
issue in child care, to determine the impact on the development
of child care facilities
Information Clearinghouse: The Administration has
See attached Note 4
established a national information clearinghouse on work child andfamily care. issues.
Businesses
the Department of Labor
Parents will be able to call toll free with any questions they
needs
have regarding, child care (The number is 1-800
the wide range of options av ailoble to help them meet employees' their
Note:
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
HTP is
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
checking
the eprovide technical support for individuals establishing child care
text,
facilities in their businesses, and for individuals organizing
neighborhood facilities in their homes. The S.B.A. has just
comprehensive assistance manual
interestedin
published a booklet for individuals and small businesses creating
providers. This manual
becoming child child care facilities which will be distributed in every state.
Consumer Resources Handbook: Child care information will
also be included in a consumer resources handbook, so increasing that
citizens can be made aware ness of how they can obtain more
1
information in their local communities about the available child
care options.
# # #
00/22/07
10.00
UPT ICE or MANAGEPIENT HND BUDGER
007
Note 1
The Administration has two tax proposals: the new Young Child
Tax Credit and refundability of the existing Dependent and Child
Care Tax Credit.
Note 2
HIIS is adamant about not calling Head Start "child care" because
it is so much more, a position with which we agree. Hence the
change noted.
Note 3
The alternative text on liability insurance reflects the
President's mandate to the Secretary of Labor. Both the Council
on Competitiveness and the DPC Working Group on Tort Reform have
identified child care liability issues as possible agenda items.
Until DOL and EXOP staff assess the information that DOL has
collected as a basis for determining if the Secretary's report
will deal with issues beyond those mandated and, if so, which
issues, it seems best to leave the description of the study as
the President asked for it.
Note 4
The clearinghouse at Labor is targeted to businesses, not
parents, and we have changed the text accordingly. our
understanding is that the clearinghouse will not be geared up to
handle questions until October, at which time there will be a
high visibility publicity campaign. DOL staff think that a
decision has been made not to have an 800 number.
1
Rm 122
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
provide technical support for small business employers interested
in establishing child care facilities for their employees, and
for individuals interested in establishing child facilities in
their neighborhoods. The S.B.A. has just published a booklet for
individuals and small businesses creating child care facilities
which will be distributed in every state.
Comments from Janet Hall Is office Darman X 3/20.
August 17, 1989
Draft two
A:PRE-K
Dear Child Care Professional:
As child care providers, you have the vital task of ensuring
the health and well-being of the nation's most precious resource,
our young children.
The day-to-day responsibilities of caring for children are
challenging and at times frustrating. As a father and
grandfather, I know that all too well. But I also know what a
wonderful experience it is to be with children -- helping them
discover the world, encouraging them to learn new concepts,
laying a foundation for a healthy and productive life.
But your task does not end with the care of children. You
also provide important support to parents who depend on you. You
are a vital resource. Today, more and more parents work outside
the home, and meeting the demands of work and family is often
difficult. And, as more mothers join the workforce, the demand
for child care services is increasing.
I am concerned about the challenges facing families today.
Government, with the right assistance, can help alleviate some of
the stress in family life. This Administration is undertaking a
number of initiatives which would put choice in the hands of
working parents. Our child care tax credit proposal will help
low- and moderate-income families care for their children.
However, government assistance is only a beginning. Whether
they choose family care, church-based child care, or other child
care facilities, parents need to know that their children are
spending their days with knowledgeable and loving adults. Your
dedication to the child care profession, and your support for
working parents, are helping families build a better life for
themselves.
You are, as many parents have told me, the most important
person in the lives of working parents. I hold a great deal of
esteem for your work and salute your efforts.
George Bush
BUSH ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVES ON CHILD CARE
Child Care: On March 15, 1989, the President transmitted the
Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989 to the Congress.
Low-income families, in which a parent works, would be eligible
for a tax credit of up to $1000 per child under age four. This
child credit would be refundable, and, thus, available to
families who have no income tax liability. Families would be
free to choose the kind of child care that best suits their needs
-- care through relatives, neighbors, child care centers or
religiously-affiliated care.
The President believes that parents are the best judges of
quality care and know what is in their children's best interest.
The Administration's proposals are designed to give parents
discretion to make decisions about their children's care, and to
increase -- not decrease -- the range of options available to
parents.
Head Start: President Bush also transmitted to Congress the
Head Start Amendments of 1989, which would increase funding to
pay for the enrollment of up to 95,000 more disadvantaged four-
year olds. This expansion would increase the range of choices
available to low-income families in meeting their child care
needs.
In addition to the legislation sent to Congress,
Administration initiatives on child care so far include:
Liability Insurance: Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole will
be studying and making recommendations on the liability insurance
issue in child care, to determine the impact on the development
of child care facilities.
Information Clearinghouse: The Administration has
established a national information clearinghouse on child care.
Parents will be able to call toll-free with any questions they
have regarding child care. (The number is 1-800-
)
Small Business Administration: The Small Business
Administration will be holding a series of regional meetings to
provide technical support for individuals establishing child care
facilities in their businesses, and for individuals organizing
neighborhood facilities in their homes. The S.B.A. has just
published a booklet for individuals and small businesses creating
child care facilities which will be distributed in every state.
Consumer Resources Handbook: Child care information will
also be included in a consumer resources handbook, so that
citizens can be made aware of how they can obtain more
information in their local communities about the available child
care options.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 22, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
LEE S. LIBERMAN for
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
RE:
Presidential Message to
PRE-K TODAY MAGAZINE
I have no legal objection to the letter to be used to respond to
messages on the above-captioned subject. In the last paragraph,
next to last sentence, I wonder whether the President really
should be saying "the most important person in the lives of
working parents." How about "indispensable to working parents. "?
8:33 22 GUG 68