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1-27-1998 8:43AM
FROM MARY BOURDETTE 96905750
P. 1
HUMAN SERVICES. USA
DATE:
1/27/98
&
HEALTH
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
200 INDEPENDENCE AVE., SW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201
OF
DEPARTMENT
PHONE: (202) 690-6311
FAX: (202) 690-8425
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATION
HUMAN SERVICES LEGISLATION
ROOM 413 H HUMPHREY BUILDING
FROM:
TO
: Laura E
[
T
MARY M. BOURDETTE
OFFICE
:
WH- DPC
[ ] BARBARA P. CLARK
[ ] GREG JONES
ROOM NO
:
[ ] PATRICIA BRAVO
PHONE NO :
[ ] AMY LOCKHART
FAX NO
:
456-2878
[ ] LAUREN GRIFFIN
[ ] LULA BARNES
TOTAL INCLUDING PAGES COVER) : 3
REMARKS:
Plo copy h Elena, Jen ? male
Janks-
may
1-27-1998 8:43AM
FROM MARY BOURDETTE 96905750
P.2
51577
To
: Joan Lombardi@[email protected], Carmen [email protected]@ACF.WDC,
Madeline Mocko@[email protected], Lauren Griffin@[email protected],
Olivia Golden@[email protected], Richard Tarplin@[email protected]
Cc
: Michael Kharfen@[email protected], Rose Clement-Lusi@[email protected]
Bcc
:
From
: Mary_Bourdette@[email protected]
Subject
chafee and Dodd CC bills
Date
Monday, January 26, 1998 at 7:53:05 pm EST
Attach
:
Certify
: N
Encrypt
: N
First Chafee newSand then onto Dodd news
I talked to Laurie Rubiner today about the her boss - Senator Chafee's - child
care bill mentioned in press stories over the weekend. While she will send
paper later, she outlined the basic pieces of their legislation as follows:
1. Restructuring the DCTC to provide more generous assistance to lower income
working families, by increasing the % of expenses allowed at the lowest end of
the income scale, and phasing it out for upper income families (ending credit
at somewhere between $100,000 and 110,000)
2. Make a smaller amount, perhaps half, of the amount of the DCTC available to
stay-at-home parents with children under 7.
3. Double the discretionary part of CCDBG -- i.e. add $1 b per year to CCDBG
4. Business tax credit similar to Kohl
5. State Enforcement piece that will use carrot (bonus) and stick (penalty) to
reward and punish states for efforts re enforcement of their own standards -
somehow attached to CCDBG, SO reward would be more CCDBG funds, penalty, less
6. Small pot of funds for "access" to child care
Senator Chafee will lead a group of Republicans, likely to include Chafee,
Hatch, Snowe, Roberts, Specter, in introducing the bill on Wednesday. They do
not have the tax pieces costed out at this time, and are unlikely to offer
offsets for the bill.
They would like to discuss this further with us before or after introduction
and are open to suggestions. They will send us paper on the day of
introduction.
DODD -- The bipartisan bill that Senator Dodd was developing with a number of
offices seems to have fallen apart for now - and as noted above, several of the
groups participants are working with Senator Chafee on his version of a child
care bill. Senator Dodd has now turned his attention to crafting a Democratic
bill that he hopes to introduce with other Senate D's this week. While again,
the details are not all sewed up, nor do we have paper, but here's whats being
discussed.
1. Expanding the Block Grant -- a substantial increase in the CCDBG - similar
to the $7.5 B proposed by the Admin over 5 years, also in mandatory funds.
2. Quality Fund - a mandatory fund for quality purposes - again similar to the
Admin's proposal and somehow tied in with CCDBG
1-27-1998 8:44AM
FROM MARY BOURDETTE 96905750
P.3
3. After School Funds - tied to the block grant, as well as something similar
to Senator Boxer's after-school bill.
4. Expand the DCTC and make it refundable
5. some sort of tax assistance to stay at home parents of very young children
6. Kohl business tax credit similar to our proposal
and
7. Public private partnership similar to Florida model.
More later
FEB 04 '98 14:13 FR
TO 94562878
P.02
MEMORANDUM
Chafee, et al. Child Care Bill
28 January 1998
Today, Senators Chafee, Hatch, Snowe, Roberts, Specter and Collins introduced the Caring for
Children Act. While it was sponsored by Republicans, at least one of the Senators (Chafee)
characterized it as a bipartisan bill.
The piece that helps stay-at-home parents is an expansion of the Dependent Care Tax Credit to
a non-working parent, giving them one-half of the credit available to those who work and incur
child care expenses for children ages 0 to 3 (they noted that making the credit available to stay-
at-home parents of children over 3 years would be too expensive). The bill would also phase out
the credit and cap eligibility at $105,000, creating a savings to help pay for the stay-at-home
piece.
The bill would also increase to $30,000 the income at which one could take the full credit and
increases the credit from 30% to 50% of expenses (similar to the President's plan).
Other provisions are:
$1 million annually for the Dept. Of Labor to conduct outreach to businesses to promote
awareness of the Dependent Care Assistance Program
Provide 20% tax credit of expenses up to $500,000 for employers who construct,
renovate or operate on- or near-site child care facilities--max. credit of $100,000
(President's plan calls for $150,000 max. credit).
$50 million/year to HHS to increase access to information and provide technological
assistance to providers and workers to improve quality
Give bonuses to states that enforce standards (through inspections) and penalize those
that do not-10% increase or decrease in CCDBG
$60 million over 3 years in competitive grants administered by states to encourage small
businesses to develop child care programs
A GAO study to determine if liability concerns hinder availability of child care
There are no exact cost estimates from Joint Tax yet, but the estimates from the Senators were:
Approximately $17 billion over five years for the package.
About $12 billion for the stay-at-home DCTC piece, but a savings of about $6 billion
from capping the DCTC. So a net cost of about $6 billion for these changes to the DCTC.
** TOTAL PAGE. 02 **
01/29/98 THU 01:28 FAX
002
01/28/98
11:09
SEN. CHAFEE
E 002
News From
SENATOR JOHN CHAFEE
RHODE ISLAND
505 DIRKSEN BUILDING
WASHINGTON D.C. 20510-3902
(202)224-2921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact. Nicholas J. Graham
Wednesday AM, January 28th, 1998
202/224-6167
CHAFEE: "CONGRESS MUST ENACT BIPARTISAN
CHILD CARE LEGISLATION THIS YEAR"
Senator, Other Lawmakers, Unveil 'Comprehensive,
Innovative and Balanced' Child Care Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator John H. Chafee, a senior member of the
Finance Committee and longtime advocate for affordable and quality day care
programs, joined other lawmakers at a press conference in the Capitol this morning to
unveil a comprehensive, balanced child care proposal that he said would have a
positive impact on millions of children and working parents if enacted.
Chafee said the new child care bill which he and others lawmakers crafted
will be a "comprehensive, responsible, balanced and pragmatic approach to a very
critical and timely problem facing parents every day of their lives".
"Last night in his State of the Union Address, the President issued a clear
challenge to Congress to draft and enact legislation to improve child care for working
parents across the nation," Chafee said. "I accept that challenge, and state
unequivocally that we are prepared to meet that challenge with the introduction of this
innovative, comprehensive child care initiative in the Senate today."
Chafee added that he believed there were many goals that the President has
outlined on child care that were commendable - such as early childhood development
programs, expanding Head Start, and increasing funding for the Child Care and
Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program - which Chafee helped author in 1989.
"There is no question that child care is a major challenge in the daily lives of
parents everywhere, in terms of both the affordability and availability of quality day
care. For most families in America today, child care is not an option, but a necessity.
For most working parents, child care is not a luxury, but a fact of everyday life.
Furthermore, action is needed now - more than ever before on child care - because we
cannot expect welfare reform to work well if we do not provide affordable, accessible
and quality day care to parents making the transition from welfare to work."
- MORE -
01/29/98 THU 01:29 FAX
003
01/28/98
11:09
SEN. CHAFEE
003
"The current system is unfair to lower and middle income families where
one parent wants to stay at home with the children," Chafee continued. "Currently, the
tax code provides for a tax credit for families that place their children in someone else's
care, but no credit for a parent who stays home with his or her children. This isn't fair,
and it is certainly not a level playing field for many parents with children. We need to
find a balance that is fair for all families. The President's proposal does nothing to
address the concerns and financial needs of stay-at home parents who choose to care for
children. Our proposal does, and it sets the tone and tenor for the debate on child care."
"While the refrain is popular and often heard, it's simply not enough to say
that parents should stay at home and care for children, and call it 'family values'. We
must match our rhetoric with actions - namely, financial incentives which encourage
parents who want to stay at home to care for children to be able to do SO. Our goal in
this bill is to remove the financial barriers that currently prevent parents from making
the choice to stay at home and care for children in their early, formative years."
"We also set an income limit on families who benefit from the Dependent
Care Tax Credit (DCTC). Under the current system, billionaire and Microsoft CEO Bill
Gates gets the same DCTC as a single mother earning $30,000, because everyone gets
some credit, regardless of income. Bill Gates doesn't need the assistance. Working
parents do. The President's proposal does not place any income restrictions on the
DCTC, and I believe it should."
Chafee said the most important and innovative portion of the child care bill
deals with offering tax incentives to parents who choose to stay at home to care for and
raise their children in their early years, as well as tax incentives to businesses that
provide on-site day care.
But he stressed that the second part of the new bill addressing quality day
care - was equally necessary. Specifically, the quality component will: double funding
for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (an additional $5 billion over five
years); require states to accelerate and improve inspections and enforce existing state
health and safety standards; encourage the development of child care programs for
employees of small businesses through the creation of a small business child care grant
program.
As a senior member of the Finance Committee - which has jurisdiction over
tax policy - Chafee will be in a position to fight for tax incentives for working and stay-at
home parents; tax credits for small businesses who construct or renovate on-site or
near-site day care facilities for workers; and other measures to improve day care.
The bill was introduced by Chafee and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Original
cosponsors are Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Arlen Specter
(R-PA), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
Editor's Note: An outline of the bill is attached (2 pp.)
01/29/98 THU 01:29 FAX
004
01/28/98
11:10
SEN. CHAFEE
VI 004
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
Summary of Caring for Children Act
to be Introduced by Senators Chafee, Hatch,
Snowe, Roberts, Specter and Collins
Wednesday, January 28th, 1998
1.
Provide additional tax relief to families to increase the affordability
of child care. and make it more feasible for a parent to stay at home
to care for a child:
a) Amend the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) to -
i)
raise the income level to $30,000 at which families become eligible for
the maximum tax credit.
ii) raise the maximum percentage that parents can deduct of their child care
expenses to 50 percent.
iii) reduce credit by 1% for each $1,500 earned over $30,000. phasing out
credit at $105,000.
b) Extend eligibility of DCTC to families with a stay-at-home parent by
presuming that a stay-at-home parent has minimum child care expenses of $150
per month; apply other rules as outlined in (a). This applies to stay-at-home
parents with children age 3 or under.
Example: if one parent earns $30,000, and the other parent stays at
home for one year to care for the child, they would be eligible for the
following credit: (50%) x ($150/month) X (12 months) = $900.
c) Promote greater availability of the Dependent Care Assistance Program
(DCAP) for families with children by authorizing
$1 million annually for four years for the Department of Labor to conduct
outreach to businesses to promote awareness of the DCAP program.
d) Provide 20% tax credit of expenses up to $500,000 for employers who
construct, renovate or operate on- or near-site facilities for child care for their
employees (for a maximum credit of $100,000).
01/29/98 THU 01:29 FAX
005
01/28/98
11:10
SEN. CHAFEE
005
2.
Increase the Supply of Quality Child Care:
a) Authorize $50 million per year to increase parents' access to
information and to provide technological assistance to child care providers and
workers to improve the quality of child care. These funds could be used by
HHS for the following purposes:
i)
to collect and disseminate state-of-the art information on topics related to
child care health and safety, as well as early childhood development.
This information could be distributed through brochures, the Internet, a
toll-free information hotline, resource and referral organizations. etc.
ii)
for grants to organizations to develop and operate a technology-based
child care training infrastructure to enable child care providers to receive
the training, education and support they need to improve the quality of
child care.
b) Require states to beef up inspections and enforce existing state health and
safety standards through a carrot/stick approach. States that inspect a certain
percentage of the facilities they are required to inspect under state law would
receive a 10% boost in their Child Care and Development Block Grant
(CCDBG) funding. Starting in the second year. states that fail to meet a
minimum threshold level of inspections would receive a 10% penalty. according
to the following timetable:
Year
To qualify for 10% bonus,
10% penalty would apply
must have inspection rate
for states with inspection
of at least:
rates under:
FY1999:
75%
-
FY2000:
80%
50%
FY2001:
100%
75%
c) Double the authorization for the CCDBG (this would amount to an
additional $5 billion in discretionary funding over 5 years, but would be
phased in over time to keep pace with growing state capacity).
d) Encourage small businesses to develop child care programs for their
employees through the creation of small business child care grant program.
This demonstration project authorizes $60 million over 3 years in competitive
grants to be administered by the states.
e) Require federal child care facilities to comply with state health and safety standards.
f) Commission a GAO study to determine the extent to which liability concerns
hinders the availability of child care. The report could examine whether fears
regarding potential liability exposure deter: employers from establishing on or
near-site child care for their employees; schools or community centers from
allowing their facilities to be used for on-site child care; and individuals from
providing child care services in their homes. The GAO would have 6 months to
report to Congress
01/28/98 WED 12:23 FAX 202 224 1946
SENATOR SNOWE
001
Post-it* Fax Note
Domestic Date Policy Councel
7671
# of
pages
To
Kevin
NEWS RF
Co./Dept.
Co. From Dave Lachey
lowte House
Sen. Snowe
Phone #
OLYMPIA
456-5542
Phone #
48667
Fax
#
456-2878
Fax #
8-1071
U.S. Senator for Maine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DAVE LACKEY
Wednesday, January 28, 1998
(202) 224-5344
SNOWE TARGETS STAY-AT-HOME PARENTS
IN ROLLOUT OF NEW CHILD CARE INITIATIVE
Snowe introduces Caring for Children Act with Senators Chafee, Hatch, Roberts, Specter
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe today joined a team of
concerned Republican lawmakers at a Capitol Hill News Conference to introduce the Caring
for Children Act, which strengthens federal child care programs, and for the first time
addresses the needs of parents who stay at home with their children.
"This bill represents a bold and innovative new approach that provides assistance not
only to those working parents struggling to afford quality child care, but to those parents who
decide to forego a second income and stay at home to care for young children," Snowe said.
"It is not about pitting one group against another, or starting a 'mommy war'. It is about
helping parents do the best they can for their children, no matter what choice they make."
The Maine Senator, a leader in Congress for nearly two decades on child care issues,
made her comments as the legislation was unveiled at a Capitol Hill News Conference
Wednesday. The legislation is the culmination of three months of work by Snowe and
Senators John Chafee (R-R.I.), Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Arlen Specter
(R-Pa.) aimed at addressing the realities that face parents today.
"Our bill respects parents' decisions and expands the choices available in a number of
innovative ways. By expanding the Dependent Care Tax Credit, we make it more affordable
for parents to choose quality child care, but also leave the door open for a parent to stay at
home with their child. And we target our tax benefits to those who need them most: working
families," Snowe said. "We provide what parents need most: choices."
"The decision of how to care for a young child is deeply personal and difficult. Many
feel handcuffed by economic concerns, others worry about the safety of child care, but all
face different circumstances that make the decision-making process unique. The reality is
that, despite our best efforts to date to make quality, affordable child care accessible, the
myriad pressures facing American families today still imperil their ability to provide the best
possible care for their children," Snowe said, noting that 63% of women with children under
six are in the workforce, and one of every five Mainers works multiple jobs. "Millions of
families struggle with decisions over who should care for their young children," she said.
The Caring for Children Act will take steps to improve affordability and quality of
child care, and to increase the stake of the business community in providing child care to
employees. Notable provisions include:
Affordability - The Caring for Children Act doubles funding for the Child Care and
Development Block Grant, from $5 to $10 billion, to make child care more affordable
for millions of low-income working families.
Tax credit - The bill increases the maximum Dependent Care Tax Credit from 30% to
50% of child care costs to permit working parents with child care expenses to take a
maximum tax credit of $1,200. for one child, or $2,400 for two or more children. A
maximum tax credit of $900 would be available to parents who stay home for a year
to care for a child aged three or younger.
Business commitment - The bill provides tax credits to businesses for child care-related
start-up costs of up to $500,000, and provides grants to small employers for child care.
Liability The legislation commissions a study by the U.S. General Accounting Office
to determine if liability concerns are hindering the availability of child care.
Quality To ensure that every child placed in child care has a healthy and safe
environment, the legislation takes a 'carrot-and-stick' approach that provides bonuses
to states that meet the targeted inspection rate while penalizing those who lag far
below what is expected of them.
# # #
JAN. 28. 1998 12 33PM
NO. 102
P.1/1
STATES
UNITED STATES SENATOR MAINE
SUSAN COLLINS
SENATE
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Felicia Knight
January 28, 1998
(202) 224 2523
SENATOR COLLINS IS ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR FOR
GOP CHILD CARE BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Senator Susan Collins is co-sponsoring child care legislation that
is aimed at helping not only working parents, but also parents who choose to stay home. The
bill, introduced by Senator John Chafee (R-Rhode Island), will increase the federal income tax
credit available to low and middle-income parents for child-care expenses. It also creates a
child-care grant program for small businesses to encourage them to develop child care programs
for their employees.
"I'm happy to be an original co-sponsor of this bill," said Senator Collins, "because it
recognizes the child-care problems faced by all parents, not just those who work outside the
home." The child-care bill proposed by President Clinton does not allow a tax credit for parents
who stay at home, many of whom are sacrificing an income while also incurring significant
child-care costs.
The Chafee bill raises the income level at which working parents become eligible for the
maximum tax credit from $10,000 to $30,000, and raises the maximum percentage of child care
expenses which can be deducted form 30 to 50 percent.
The bill extends this benefit to stay-at-home parents with children age three and under,
by applying the same eligibility guidelines and assuming minimum child-care expenses of $150
per family.
"With this bill," said Senator Collins, "greater benefits will go to more Maine families in
with middle and lower incomes."
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) is also an original co-sponsor of the Chafee bill, along
with Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-
Pennsylvania).
###
170 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
202-224-2523 FAX: 202-224-2693
JAN 28 '98 13:34 FR SEN HATCH
202 224 6331 TO 94565542
P.02/04
NEWS RELEASE
ORRIN HATCH
United States Senator for Utah
January 28, 1998
Contact: Paul Smith (202)224-9854
CHILD CARE
Eight years ago, Congress passed and President Bush signed the landmark Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act. I was proud to have helped lead the effort, and I am proud of what
our states have been able to accomplish since its implementation.
But, it is also clear that we must do more to help families. In my home state of Utah, more
than half of the children under age 6 have either their only parent or both parents in the workforce.
The "Child Care Connection," a four-county resource and referral program. reported last
year that there were five major Salt Lake zip codes that had zero openings for infants.
Utah child care officials have reported that there are too few slots generally for infants and
toddlers and for special needs children.
It is my pleasure to be here today with Senators Chafee, Snowe, Roberts, and Specter,
each of whom has a long track record of involvement in child care issues. We believe that we have
developed a comprehensive, yet realistic, child care proposal that will augment the ability of the
child care block grant to serve families in each state.
Of particular note, this proposal recognizes the choice that many families make to have one
parent remain at home as primary caregiver. As important as it is to assist low- and middle-income
families with necessary out-of-home child care expenses -- and our proposal will increase the
Dependent Care Tax Credit for such families -- it is also important for us to realize the value of a
parent in the home and that the sacrifice of a second income is also a child care expense.
Additionally, our proposal will not create major new programs in need of permanent
funding. We do not intend to spend federal dollars on bigger bureaucracy in the name of
expanding child care. We want available resources to be put directly in the hands of parents
through tax credits and in the hands of states to address specific gaps in availability and
enforcement of health and safety standards.
I am enthusiastic about the legislation we will be introducing and look foward to working
toward its passage.
JAN 28 '98 13:35 FR SEN HATCH
202 224 6331 TO 94565542
P.03/04
Summary of the "Caring for Children Act"
Sponsored by Senators Chafee, Hatch, Snowe,
Roberts and Specter
1.
Provide additional tax relief to families to increase the affordability of child care,
and make it more feasible for a parent to stay at home to care for a child:
a) Amend the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) to --
i)
raise the income level to $30,000 at which families become eligible for the
maximum tax credit.
ii) raise the maximum percentage that parents can deduct of their child care
expenses to 50 percent.
iii) reduce credit by 1% for each $1,500 earned over $30,000, phasing out
credit at $105,000.
b) Extend eligibility of DCTC to families with a stay-at-home parent by
presuming that a stay-at-home parent has minimum child care expenses of $150
per month;apply other rules as outlined in (a). This will apply to stay-at-home
parents with children age 3 or under.
Example: If one parent earns $30,000, and the other parent stays at home
for one year to care for the child, they would be eligible for the following
credit: (50%) X ($150/month) X (12 months) = $900.
c) Promote greater availability of the Dependent Care Assistance Program
(DCAP) for families with children by authorizing $1 million annually for four
years for the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to businesses to promote
awareness of the DCAP program.
d) Provide 20% tax credit of expenses up to $500,000 for employers who
construct, renovate or operate on- or near-site facilities for child care for their
employees (for a maximum credit of $100,000).
2.
Increase the Supply of Quality Child Care:
a) Authorize $50 million per year to increase parents' access to information and
to provide technological assistance to child care providers and workers to
improve the quality of child care. These funds could be used by HHS for the
following purposes:
i) to collect and disseminate state-of-the art information on topics
related to child care health and safety, as well as early childhood development.
This information could be distributed through brochures, the Internet, a toll-free
information hotline, resource and referral organizations, etc.
JAN 28 '98 13:35 FR SEN HATCH
202 224 6331 TO 94565542
P.04/04
ii) for grants to organizations to develop and operate a technology-based child
care training infrastructure to enable child care providers to receive the training,
education and support they need to improve the quality of child care.
b) Require states to beef up inspections and enforce existing state health and
safety standards through a carrot/stick approach. States that inspect a certain
percentage of the facilities they are required to inspect under state law would
receive a 10% boost in their Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
funding. Starting in the second year, states that fail to meet a minimum threshold
level of inspections would receive a 10% penalty, according to the following
timetable:
Year
To qualify for 10% bonus,
10% penalty would apply for
must have inspection rate of
states with inspection rates
at least:
under:
FY1999:
75%
FY2000:
80%
50%
FY2001:
100%
75 %
c) Double the authorization for the CCDBG (this would amount to an additional
$5 billion in discretionary funding over 5 years, but would be phased in over time
to keep pace with growing state capacity).
d) Encourage small businesses to develop child care programs for their
employees through the creation of small business child care grant program. This
demonstration project would authorizes $60 million over 3 years in competitive
grants to be administered by the states.
e) Require federal child care facilities to comply with state health and safety
standards.
f) Commission a GAO study to determine the extent to which liability concerns
hinders the availability of child care. The report could examine whether fears
regarding potential liability exposure deter: employers from establishing on or
near-site child care for their employees; schools or community centers from
allowing their facilities to be used for on-site child care; and individuals from
providing child care services in their homes. The GAO would have 6 months to
report to Congress.
2
**
TOTAL PAGE. 04 **
01/28/98 WED 13:07 FAX
5
001
NEWS RELEASE
Pat Roberts
UNITED STATES SENATOR
KANSAS
EXATE
+
CONTACT: Betsy Holahan (202) 224-4774
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 1998
Roberts Holds Press Conference on Child Care Plan
"We need to protect our nation's most valuable resource- our children."
WASHINGTON, DC- Kansas Senator Pat Roberts today will hold a press conference to unveil major
legislation expanding child care options for working Americans.
Roberts and a group of Republican Senators will outline the "Caring For Children Act" - scheduled
for Scnate introduction today - at a 9:30 a.m. press conference in the Capitol's Senate Radio-TV Gallery (S-
325).
"We believe child care should be accessible, affordable and safe for all children," Roberts said. "Finding
quality, affordable child care is one of the most pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the
country."
The legislation includes expansion of the Dependent Care Tax Credit and incentives for small businesses
to provide added opportunity for child cate for their employees. Those provisions were first proposed by
Roberts in a bill last year.
-30-
01/28/98 WED 13:08 FAX
002
NEWS RELEASE
Pat Roberts
UNITED STATES SENATOR
KANSAS
SENATE
CONTACT: Betsy Holahan (202) 224-4774
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 1998
Roberts' Child Care Plan Included in Senate Bill
WASHINGTON, DC Key provisions of Kansas Senator Pat Robcrts' plan to expand child care
options for working Americans are included in major legislation scheduled for Senate introduction.
The legislation being pushed by a group of Republican Senators includes expansion of the Dependent
Care Tax Credit and incentives for small businesses to provide added opportunity for child care for their
employees. Those provisions were first proposed by Senator Roberts in a bill last year.
"These provisions are the backbone of our legislation, which will be introduced within the next two
weeks," Roberts said. "They represent a common-sense approach to helping working parents find dependable
and affordable child care.
"Our goal is to expand child care opportunities without expanded government costs or intrusion in our
lives.
"Child care, in the home when possible and outside the home when both parents work, goes right to the
heart of keeping families strong. Unfortunately, finding quality, affordable child care is one of the most
pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the country. I intend to make this legislation the highest
priority."
The legislation allows families making $30,000 to take advantage of the child care tax credit, which
would be phased out for families with incomes over $105,000. Additionally, it would be expanded to cover
stay-at-home parents with children under age 6.
The legislation provides seed grants to small businesses and incentives for states to beef up health and
safety standards.
In Kansas, only 39 (37 percent) of 105 counties meet the national standard of 25 child care slots per 100
children under age 13.
-30-
01/28/98 WED 13:08 FAX
5
003
Summary of Caring for Children Act
to be Introduced by Senators Chafee, Hatch,
Snowe, Roberts, Specter and Collins
January 28, 1998
1.
Provide additional tax relief to families to increase the affordability of child
care, and make it more feasible for a parent to stay at home to care for a child:
a) Amend the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) to -
i) raise the income level to $30,000 at which families become eligible for
the maximum tax credit.
ii) raise the maximum percentage that parents can deduct of their child care
expenses to 50 percent.
iii) reduce credit by 1% for each $1,500 earned over $30,000, phasing out
credit at $105,000.
b) Extend eligibility of DCTC to families with a stay-at-home parent by
presuming that a stay-at-home parent has minimum child care expenses of
$150 per month; apply other rules as outlined in (a). This will apply to
stay-at-home parents with children age 3 or under.
Example: if one parent earns $30,000, and the other parent stays at
home for one year to care for the child, they would be eligible for the
following credit: (50%) X ($150/month) X (12 months) = $900.
c) Promote greater availability of the Dependent Care Assistance Program
(DCAP) for families with children by authorizing $1 million annually for four
years for the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to businesses to promote
awareness of the DCAP program.
d) Provide 20% tax credit of expenses up to $500,000 for employers who
construct. renovate or operate on- or near-site facilities for child care for their
employees (for a maximum credit of $100,000).
01/28/98 WED 13:08 FAX
J.
004
2.
Increase the Supply of Quality Child Care:
a) Authorize $50 million per year to increase parents' access to
information and to provide technological assistance to child care providers
and workers to improve the quality of child care. These funds could be
used by HHS for the following purposes:
i)
to collect and disseminate state-of-the art information on topics related to
child care health and safety, as well as early childhood development.
This information could be distributed through brochures, the Internet, a
toll-free information hotline, resource and referral organizations, etc.
ii) for grants to organizations to develop and operate a technology-based
child care training infrastructure to enable child care providers to receive
the training, education and support they need to improve the quality of
child care.
b) Require states to beef up inspections and enforce existing state health and
safety standards through a carrot/stick approach. States that inspect a certain
percentage of the facilities they are required to inspect under state law would
receive a 10% boost in their Child Care and Development Block Grant
(CCDBG) funding. Starting in the second year, states that fail to meet a
minimum threshold level of inspections would receive a 10% penalty, according
to the following timetable:
Year To qualify for 10% bonus,
10% penalty would apply for
must have inspection rate of
states with inspection rates
at least:
under:
FY1999: 75%
--
FY2000: 80%
50%
FY2001: 100%
75 % %
c) Double the authorization for the CCDBG (this would
amount to an additional $5 billion in discretionary funding over 5 years,
but would be phased in over time to keep pace with growing state
capacity).
01/28/98 WED 13:08 FAX
005
d) Encourage small businesses to develop child care programs for their
employees through the creation of small business child care grant program.
This demonstration project authorizes $60 million over 3 years in competitive
grants to be administered by the states.
e) Require federal child care facilities to comply with state health and
safety standards.
f) Commission a GAO study to determine the extent to which liability concerns
hinders the availability of child care. The report could examine whether fears
regarding potential liability exposure deter: employers from establishing on or
near-site child care for their employees; schools or community centers from
allowing their facilities to be used for on-site child care; and individuals from
providing child care services in their homes. The GAO would have 6 months
to report to Congress.
01/28/98 WED 13:09 FAX
006
PAT ROBERTS
KANSAS
COMMITTEES:
ARMED SERVICES
202 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1605
INTELLIGENCE
202-224-4774
ETHICS
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1605
CARING FOR CHILDREN ACT
SENATOR PAT ROBERTS
January 28, 1998
I am pleased and honored to join with my colleagues to introduce legislation to help meet
the child care challenges facing families around the nation. Our bill is entitled the "Caring for
Children Act."
Child care, in the home when possible and outside the home when both parents work,
goes right to the heart of keeping families strong. Unfortunately, finding quality, affordable child
care is one of the most pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the country.
The "Caring for Children Act" takes the first steps to address this challenge through a
responsible approach. This legislation expands child care opportunities without expanded
government costs or intrusion in our lives. This legislation builds into the existing network
without adding more government intervention or mandates. This legislation will help families
that have two working parents and families that have a stay-at-home parent. This legislation will
help to increase the supply of quality of child care.
First, in order to provide additional tax relief and increase affordability of child care, we
expand the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) by raising the income level to $30,000 at which
families become eligible for the maximum tax credit. We also raise the maximum percentage of
child care expenses that parents can deduct to 50 percent. These changes make the DCTC more
realistic for families that face increasing child care costs.
Increasing the income level and the percentage of child care expenses that arc deductible
will help familics where both parents work. But, we also recognize that families who choose to
have one parent remain at home have child care expenses as well. Therefore, we extend
eligibility for the DCTC to familics with a stay-at-home parent. This provides greater options to
more families and leaves child care choices where they should be--with the family. In order to
target this credit to parents who need it the most and meet our fiscal responsibilities, the credit is
phased out for higher income wage earners.
1
01/28/98 WED 13:09 FAX
007
Small businesses play a critical role in providing child care options to millions of
working parents. Unfortunately, small businesses generally do not have the resources required to
start up and support a child care center. The "Caring for Children Act" includes a short-term,
flexible grant program to encourage small businesses to work together to provide child care
services for employees. This program is more of a demonstration project that will sunset at the
end of three years. In the meantime, small businesses will be eligible for grants up to $100,000
for start-up costs, training, scholarships, or other related activities. Businesses must continue to
meet state quality and health standards. Businesses will be required to match federal funds to
encourage self-sustaining facilities well into the future.
"Caring for Children" also includes provisions to provide a tax credit of expenses up to
$500,000 for employers who choose to construct, renovate, or operate on- or near-site child care
facilities for their employees. And, "Caring for Children" includes funding to promote greater
availability of the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for families with children. This
will allow the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to businesses to promote awareness of
the DCAP program.
All children deserve quality care. Although all states have health and safety standards in
place, many times these regulations are not enforced. "Caring for Children" includes incentives
for states to improve their inspection efforts and ensure that facilities are in compliance with their
own state standards. The bill also authorizes funding for the Department of Health and Human
Services to get more information in the hands of parents and help child care providers access
child care training programs.
Finally, we authorize additional funding for the Child Care and Development Block
Grant. This program sends federal assistance to states, permitting them to allocate resources
where they are most nceded in the state. We maintain maximum flexibility and allow states to
make decisions about how to address their own child care challenges.
Child care is an issue that impacts each and every one of us. While parents continue to
struggle to meet the constant demand of work and family, we must continue to do our part to
expand child care options and protect our nation's most valuable resource, our children. 1 look
forward to working with all of my colleagues in this important effort.
2
U.S. SENATOR FOR INDIANA
DAN COATS
.......
NEWS RELEASE
407 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-1403 (202) 224-8733
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT TIM GOEGLEIN
January 29, 1998
COATS FOCUSES CHILD CARE DEBATE
ON FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Senator Announces Plans to Chair Child Care
Symposium in February
WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, Chairman of the
Senate Children and Families Labor Subcommittee, and Rep.
Frank Wolf, today hosted a news conference to focus the child
care debate on helping parents spend more time with their
children.
Also today Coats announced plans to chair a symposium on
child care and parenting sponsored by the Senate Subcommittee
on Children and Families. The symposium is scheduled for
February 18.
Coats and Wolf believe that as Congress prepares to
enter this very important debate, it is crucial that
principles are driving the debate, not politics.
"Any society that cares about its future has to care
about its children," Coats said. "The most important thing
any of us can do in our lives is make sure our children get
the love and care they need.
"As we look at child care in the coming session of
Congress, I will be led by certain principles, and will
encourage my colleagues to take action that truly helps
children and that helps families care for their children.
"Most of the debate thus far has centered around good
child care research data, but that data has been misapplied.
I believe politics is being put ahead of good policy.
"There are some essential questions we must ask
ourselves while considering child care policy: what is best
for children; what do families really want; and what truly
effective steps can be taken to enable families to provide
the best care they can for their children?
"Understanding that all families and children are
different, we need to know specifically what problems face at
risk children -- those in poverty, those with illnesses or
other special needs -- and specifically what can be done to
help them.
"These questions need to be asked and fully-answered
before we develop legislation. Too much is at stake to begin
with a political agenda," Coats said.
Regarding the upcoming symposium on child care, Coats
outlined his goals for that forum.
"This will be a broad and thoughtful discussion with
leading experts in the field, parents, and other concerned
citizens about what is best for children; and how we can
insure that a majority of Americans have an option to do what
is best.
"The President assumes that the most important child
care initiative is more money invested in the current system.
Before we commit billions of new dollars to the existing
child care system, we need an ongoing discussion of the
impact of child care on early childhood development, and an
examination of the alternatives that best address the needs
of children and the desires of parents.
"Families in America face many challenges -- and I think
it does them a great disservice to impose politically
expedient solutions on them simply because we are not willing
to take the time to ask the right questions and then respond
in a thoughtful way," Coats said.
Joining Coats and Wolf at the news conference were:
Charmaine Yoest, Family Research Council
Heidi Brennan, President, Mothers at Home
Dr. Brenda Hunter, Child psychologist
Anita Blair, Independent Women's Forum
-30-
Feb 18 Symposium on childcare
FRANK R. WOLF
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STATEMENT OF REP. FRANK R. WOLF
CHILD CARE
JANUARY 29, 1998
We are here today to talk about families and children. Both Senator Coats and I have a
long history of working in Congress to protect children and families. We focused on this issue
in the early '80s when we served together on the House Select Committee of Children, Youth
and Families. Dan was the ranking Republican on that special panel back when we were the
minority party in the House. Shortly after he moved to the Senate, I also became the ranking
Republican.
There is no more fundamental building block to a society than its families. When
families are in crisis, society faces crisis. Many believe the American family has never been
under greater stress and attack than it is today. From inner cities to the suburbs, families are
threatened by disturbingly high rates of child abuse and neglect, drug abuse, spouse abuse, teen
suicide, teen pregnancy, alcohol abuse and more. The wheels are coming off for many American
families and clearly, children cannot steer clear of trouble without the guiding influence of moms
and dads and a secure home life.
We are also facing a breakdown of moral values in our society that many believe has its
roots in the breakdown of the family. It has been said that values aren't only taught to children--
they're also caught by them. Parents need to be around their kids for them to learn, through
example, the values lessons of life.
What do families today need to survive and flourish? Many say the answer is helping
families deal with the twin deficits of time and money. Parents don't seem to have enough time
to spend with their children or enough money to spend on just making family ends meet.
What can we as public policymakers do to help? One important step we can take is that
we can develop policies to help families keep more of their hard-earned money. We can also
develop policies that give moms and dads choices as they seek ways to find more time to spend
with their families.
Over the years I have focused my work in Congress in developing what I call "family
friendly" policies that give moms and dads those choices. In addressing this issue, I have often
1
THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLED FIBERS
quoted the lyrics from the Harry Chapin song, "The Cat's in the Cradle": "When ya coming
home Dad, I don't know when, but we'll get together then
"
These lyrics are not only heard on the radio, but too often heard across the country from
the mouths of our children. This is due in large part to the economic pressures on today's fathers
and mothers. Mothers and fathers have to work longer hours to meet the needs of their families
while Uncle Sam keeps taking a bigger and bigger bite out of the family budget pie which
contributes to the continuing downward spiral of the all too many statistics charting family well-
being.
How can we help? I have authored legislation and long advocated "family-friendly"
policies for the federal government which were a good start. Some of these now in effect as
public law are:
1) Telecommuting. Allowing employees to work at home or at a central telecommuting center
nearby equipped with a computer, phone, fax and other tools of the office. That allows parents to
do their jobs at home or near home and gives more time to be with their families. Lengthy
commutes are gone. The first federal telecommuting center was opened several years ago in
Winchester in my congressional district and more are springing up as the idea takes hold.
2) Job sharing. Splitting job duties to allow employees who want to work part-time the
opportunity to be in the workforce and bring home a pay check, but also to have time to spend
with their families, or get an advanced degree or take care of an aging parent or fulfill other
needs.
3) Leave sharing. Allowing employees to donate annual leave to help a fellow employee who
needs extra time off for their own health needs or to care for family members. It kindles the spirit
of community by allowing employees to help out their fellow worker and costs the employer
nothing.
4) Child Care. Providing on-site or near-site child care centers in federal buildings. It was my
legislation several years back that allowed child care centers to be housed in federal buildings to
help federal employees and others with child care needs. There are well over 300 centers
operating today where parents have the extra time during the commute to spend with their kids
and are only a moment or two away during the work day so sometime they can have lunch
together or be available if the child becomes ill. As you drive past the Pentagon, the child care
center across the street is one of these and it is working great.
I have also encouraged corporate child care policies by bringing together child care
experts and business leaders to develop cooperative child care facilities between employees and
businesses. Several employers in my congressional district are partners with their employees in
such operations and are well pleased with the results.
Other family friendly work-force policies help, too. I also have worked in Congress with
others to implement for federal workers the policy of flextime, the staggering of work hours to
allow one working parent to come in early while the other gets the kids off to school and comes
in later. The earlybird gets off in time to be home at the end of the school day so the problem of
"latch-key children" does not arise.
2
These and other efforts need to be factored in to the bottom line in what is emerging
today as a full debate about the future and well-being of our children. One key, I believe, is
providing choices to moms and dads. It is wise to give parents options as they make decisions
about how best to raise their kids. One size does not fit all and government does not have all the
best answers.
As federal legislators, we should be developing public policy that helps parents deal with
the twin deficits of time and money that they face. Giving them more time to spend with their
children and more money to spend on their families is a key to making things better.
We've heard in recent days a new child care proposal from the Clinton Administration.
Although I don't agree with much of this plan, I think it's good that we're talking about and
focusing attention on this issue. And let me say here that I can think of no harder job than being
a single mom. We want to do everything we can to help her, and for many single moms, that
means making sure safe and healthy care is available for her children. But we want to do
everything we can to help ALL moms and dads and we want to treat ALL moms and dads fairly.
For children to catch their family values, they need to spend time with mom and dad.
Probably a lot of time. In survey after survey, parents have been telling pollsters they need more
time with their children. They want, and they really need, more options, more choices and more
opportunities when making child care decisions.
Some say that there are some potential problems associated with putting kids in day care,
particularly at very early ages. And whether that's true or not, we need to explore that. We want
the best for our kids and we must recognize that what is best in one family may not be best in
another. As we approach the national child care debate about the future of our country and the
well-being of our children, it must be recognized that, in a perfect world, even the best day care
can be no substitute for time with mom and dad.
But I believe there is a better way than the administration's day care proposal. It's a
"one-size-fits-all" approach. USA Today's op-ed on January 19 called it an "unfunded plan"
which "won't help parents." A better idea may be to give parents more options as they make
their own decisions about how to raise their kids. Americans rejected the administration's
socialized health care system. And they have the common sense to reject socialized day care as
well. Perhaps government should be listening more to parents rather than the other way around.
My sense is that the best way to help families is not for the government to spend another
$21 billion to expand day care programs, as the president is proposing. What I propose is to
provide tax relief to America's overtaxed, overburdened families. For example, let's say we
increase the $500 per-child tax credit for parents with kids ages 0-6, the critical time when they
are most vulnerable. We want to give that money back to our overtaxed, overburdened families.
I think that's a better way and we can do it at the same or less cost than the President's plan. I bet
most grandmothers and granddads agree, too. In fact, I think most Americans do.
Another thing that is really important is that we treat everyone fairly. We don't want to
discriminate against anyone. We want to help everyone - parents who are working jobs outside
the home, parents at home, single moms who are struggling to make ends meet - everyone.
3
And this includes those families with only one working parent who are struggling and barely
making it because their choice has been to sacrifice other things so a parent would be there to
raise the kids.
The president says we need to offer incentives to companies to help them provide family-
friendly policies. Maybe we really don't have to do that. From my experience of many years on
this issue, I've found that good companies are providing options for their employees, like
flextime, job sharing when children are small (whereby a mom or dad shares a job with another
to allow more time at home), telecommuting, and the like. And more flexibility ought to be
encouraged right now, at a time of record profits and rock bottom unemployment rates. It makes
good sense for CEOs to give more options and opportunities to their employees.
My good friend Senator Coats and I are here today to announce to you an upcoming
Congressional Child Care Symposium, which we will hold next month, to further examine the
day care questions our nation is confronting. This one-day symposium will provide an
opportunity for policymakers to take another look at the broader issues, hear from experts in
child-raising, and hear the social science and other research on children and day care.
Today we've invited various experts on child-rearing who will talk about child care issues,
and the Family Research Council will be releasing the results of it's latest poll on day care and
family time. As you listen to these speakers, keep this in mind. Isn't it better to provide parents
with a wide range of child care choices, as we hope to do, rather than a single government
mandated, regulated and calculated edict that tells people what they have to do? At the end, we
will be pleased to take your questions. Thank you.
4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 29, 1998
CONTACT: Kristin Hansen, (202) 393-2100
FOR RADIO: Rebecca Biles
CLINTON CHILD CARE AGENDA
News
DISCRIMINATES AGAINST MOMS AT HOME
WASHINGTON, D.C. - "President Clinton's child care proposal is out-of-touch with what
Americans are saying they want," Family Research Council Adjunct Fellow Charmaine Yoest
Thursday at a news conference on Capitol Hill. "By ignoring the latest data on the child care
choices of American parents, the President and Mrs. Clinton are misdefining the problem. As
a result, they have given us a manufactured child care crisis and recycled thinly-disguised big
government proposals, instead of real solutions. The real crisis American parents face today
is the possibility that their hard-earned tax dollars will go to support a discriminatory child
care agenda."
Yoest joined Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN), Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)and child care experts
Thursday to discuss a pro-family approach to child care. "The central problem with the
Clinton plan," Yoest said, "is that it will underwrite institutional day care for children, while
ignoring the majority of American parents who care for their own children."
FAMILY
FRC released this week a nationwide poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide which found that
RESEARCH
Americans, by an overwhelming majority, still believe that care by a child's own mother is
COUNCIL
the single most desirable form of child care. This finding was consistent regardless of race,
age, partisanship or income level.
58% of low-income women
do not purchase child cave.
"Recognizing that some families may need for the mother to work, Americans chose family
care of some kind as the most desirable alternative to mother-care," Yoest said. "In light of
the President's proposed $20 billion increase in institutional care for children, we should take
Gary L. Bauer
President
particular note that Americans rated government-funded and commercial day care centers
as the least desirable options for children. Church-run centers, however, were rated
favorably.
"The President's child care plan wrongly emphasizes institutional day care. The plan is also
egregiously discriminatory in providing benefits only to families who pay for day care. In
our country today, the majority of preschool children are cared for by their own parents: if we
combine the children whose mothers are not employed, 48% of all preschoolers, with those
whose fathers care for them, and whose mothers care for them at work, we find that 60.3% of
all preschoolers are cared for by their own parents. If we then add the other relatives who
801
care for preschoolers, we find that 73.4% of American children are in family-care -- precisely
G Street, NW
what our polling data tells us that American parents want.
Washington, DC
20001
(202) 393-2100
FAX (202) 393-2134
"Only 11% of American pre-school children, 2.2 million, are currently in day care. Why
Legislative Hotline
should we have such a huge new federal benefit targeted at so small a population? Why not
(202) 783-HOME
Order Line
target fathers-at-home instead? Fathers today, who take care of 1.9 million children, are just
1-800-225-4008
barely behind day care centers.
Internet Site
http://www.frc.org
"Better yet, let's give tax relief to all American families and let parents themselves decide what
their most pressing need is in caring for their children. Our polling data shows that this is
precisely what most Americans want: 71% support tax relief to all families with preschool
children.
"The President is touting this 'new' proposal as long-overdue attention to child care. However in
October, a press release from the Secretary of Health and Human Services celebrated an increase
in federal child care funding of 68% since 1993. The new proposal we need is across-the-board
tax relief for all families."
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS, CALL THE FRC PRESS OFFICE
-END-
Desirability of Child Care Arrangements
Child's Own Mother
9.6
Grandmother/Aunt
8.6
Split Shifts Mother/Father
8.4
Church-Run Center
7.1
Neighbor/Family Friend
6.9
Day Care Provider
5.9
Nanny/Au Pair
5.4
Commercial Center
5.1
Government Center
4.8
1
3
5
7
9
Least
Most
Desirable
Desirable
Source: December B 1997 Quorum
Sample Size: 1,004 Adult Americans
+ 3.1 Percentage Points at
On a scale from 1 to 10, please rate how desirable
95% Confidence Interval
each of these preschool children care options are, with 1
I'
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
being the least desirable and 10 being the most desirable.
Tax Relief to Families
with Pre-School Children
All Families
70%
Don't Know/Refuse
7%
Families that Pay
23%
Source: December B 1997 Quorum
Sample Size: 1,004 Adult Americans
As you know, the government is interested in providing
+ 3.1 Percentage Points at
95% Confidence Interval
tax relief to families with preschool children. Should this
relief be available to all families with preschool children
W
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
or only to families who pay someone for day care?
W
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wirthlin Worldwide is pleased to present this summary of research conducted
nationwide on behalf of the Family Research Council. This research was
designed to understand American attitudes toward child care arrangements and
tax benefits associated therewith.
This summary highlights the results of one thousand four (1,004) telephone
interviews with adults age 18 years of age or older living in the continental
United States. Research was conducted December 19-21, 1997 and is
projectable to the entire population within a ± 3.09 percentage point margin of
error.
The project leader for this study was Mr. Neal Rhoades, Vice President. He
was assisted in all phases of research by Ms. Anne Rzeszut, Research
Manager, and Mr. D.J. Mosrie, Research Assistant. Any questions the reader
may have about this summary should be directed to Mr. Rhoades or Ms.
Rzeszut at (703) 556-0001.
KEY FINDINGS
Americans want to retain child care duties within the family structure.
When presented with nine different pre-school child care options and
asked to rate each from least desirable to most desirable, adults rate
care by a child's own mother as the single most desirable form of care,
regardless of race, age, partisanship, or income level. Care by the
child's own grandmother, aunt, or other family member or care by the
child's own parents working split shifts are also desirable forms of child
care.
An overwhelming majority of adults (71%) say that tax relief should be
available to all families with pre-school children, not just families who
pay someone for day care.
Family Research Council
1-1
January 1998
W
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
BACKGROUND
The Clinton Administration has developed a proposal to expand the
government's role in child care.
President Clinton's initiative would:
increase federal child care subsidies to states;
increase tax credits for families who pay for day care;
increase Head Start funding;
establish funding to provide grants for community programs
improving child care safety and learning for children through age 5;
expand funding of school-community partnerships to provide after
school care;
give tax credit to businesses that provide child care for employees;
fund state efforts to enforce child care health and safety standards;
provide 50,000 scholarships a year to students working toward child
care credential; and
fund child care research and a consumer hot line.
Nationwide, we find that Americans want to retain child care duties
within the family structure. Therefore, it is not surprising to find that an
overwhelming majority say that tax relief should not be limited to families
that pay for day care, but available to all families with pre-school-aged
children.
Clearly these results suggest that, in general, Americans prefer a child
care program that provides support and incentive to rearing children
within the family.
Family Research Council
1-2
January 1998
W
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
DESIRABILITY OF CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS
To better understand perceptions of child care options, we presented adult
Americans with nine different pre-school child care options and asked
respondents to rate each using a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 is the least
desirable option and 10 is the most desirable child care option.
Desirability of the child care options fall out into four basic clusters. Each
child care option was classified into a particular cluster based on an average
desirability score.
On average, Americans rate care by a child's own mother as the single most
desirable form of care (9.6 out of 10 possible points).
Moreover, it is important to note that Americans consistently rate care by a
child's own mother as the most desirable form of care, regardless of race, age,
partisanship, or income level. The only significant difference we observe is
that women are slightly more likely than their male counterparts (9.7 versus
9.4) to rate care by the mother as more desirable.
However, adults say that care by the child's own grandmother, aunt, or other
family member (8.6) or care by the child's own parents working split shifts
(8.4) are also desirable forms of child care. These two child care options
constitute the second grouping of suitable child care options.
Desirability of Child Care Arrangements
Child's Own Mother
96
Grandmother/Aunt
8.6
Spilt Mother/Father
8.4
Church-Run Center
7.1
Neighbor/Family Friend
6.9
Home Day-Care Provider
5.9
Nanny/Au Pair
5.4
Commercial Center
5.1
Government Center
4.8
0
2
4
6
8
10
Most
Desirable
Source: December B Quorum
On a scale from 1 to 10, please rate how desirable each of these pre-school child
Sample Size: 1004
care options are, with 1 being the least desirable and 10 being the most
+ 3.1 95% Confidence Interval
desirable.
Family Research Council
1-3
January 1998
W
WIRTHLIN WORLDWIDE
Trusted community support branches such as churches and neighbors comprise
the third cluster of desirable child care options. Adults identify a church-run
center (7.1) and care by a trusted neighbor or family friend (6.9) as a suitable
form of child care, but less preferable to care supplied within the family.
Americans classify professional care programs such as home day care provider
(5.9), nanny or au pair (5.4), commercial care centers (5.1) and government
care centers (4.8) into the fourth and least desirable cluster of child care
arrangements.
SUPPORT FOR TAX CREDIT TO FAMILIES WITH PRE-SCHOOL
CHILDREN
To better understand American sentiment toward child care tax relief, we
asked adults to tell us whether the tax relief proposed by the Administration
should be available to all families with pre-school children or only to families
who pay someone for day care.
A strong majority of Americans (71%) support tax relief to all families with
pre-school children, while only one-in-four (23%) think that tax relief should
only be given to families who pay someone for day care.
Tax Relief to Families with Pre-School Children
All Families
71%
Don't Know/Refused
7%
Only Families that Pay
23%
Source December B Quorum
As you know, the government is interested in providing tax relief to families
Sample Size: 1004
with preschool children. Should this relief be available to all families with
+/- 3.1 95% Confidence Interval
preschool children or only to families who pay someone for day care.
Clearly the Congress must consider public support for a pre-school tax
credit that includes tax relief for all families, not just those who use paid
day care.
Family Research Council
1-4
January 1998
Mothers at Home®
AN ORGANIZATION IN SUPPORT OF MOTHERS WHO CHOOSE TO STAY AT HOME
PUBLISHERS OF
Welcome
Home.
Statement by
Heidi L. Brennan
Public Policy Director, Mothers At Home
January 29, 1998
American mothers today have had opportunities that were largely unavailable to
their mothers a generation ago. Overall, American women are the best educated and most
career accomplished in history. The success of our nation's economy, the competence of
our government, and the security of our nation have increasingly come to depend on their
efforts. We also know that when women become mothers, dramatically increased
numbers of them are participating in the workforce in some way.
Within these enormous changes in our society, it also has become equally clear
that American mothers are experiencing a deeply emotional crisis concerning the care of
their children. Despite considerable media coverage of child care issues the true nature of
this crisis remains largely misunderstood.
Four the past fourteen years, my organization, Mothers At Home, a national
support organization for mothers, has received thousands of letters from both at-home
and employed mothers describing their concerns about their families and their beliefs
about their children's' needs for parental time. They have sought ways to create a balance
in which they can put their children first without putting themselves last. Yet our nation's
understanding of these mothers is largely distorted.
Today's Mothers Defy Media Stereotypes*
Media coverage for the past three decades has almost universally divided mothers
into two distinct camps: mothers who are home with their children (pictured as a
shrinking minority) and mothers who "work outside the home" (identified as the growing
majority). Mothers who are at home are supposedly politically conservative, married to a
high wage earner, and ideologically committed to the view that women belong in the
home.
"Working mothers," on the other hand, are depicted as well-educated, motivated
women pursuing self-fulfillment in the workplace and mothers forced to work for
economic reasons.
Yet, the outpouring of letters, e-mail, and phone messages received by Mothers
At Home, come from mothers of every political, religious, and socio-economic
background, completely contradicting this stereotype. We have heard from single
mothers who have manage to be at home, often through creative income-earning options,
wealthy women who feel they "must" work for a myriad of reasons, political
conservatives who have balanced career and family for years, and ardent feminists who
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Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 827-5903
Fax (703) 790-8587
http://www.mah.org
quit work soon after their first child was born. Thus we have learned that mothers,
indeed all American women, simply cannot be categorized by their work/home choice.
Despite media attempts to publicize a so-called "Mommy Wars," mothers are
remarkably united -- not necessarily through the choices they make concerning the care
of their children, but through the exhausting inner turmoil they suffer as they weigh the
alternatives. Pulled one way by an intense social and economic pressure to work and
pushed another by a dawning realization that they are truly needed by their children, most
mothers feel hopelessly torn. In fact, many of them wander in and out of the workforce --
seeking from society support at work, then at home -- only t 0 find it severely lacking in
either place.
A Generation of Women Unprepared for Children
In spite of the depth of their internal battles, and the financial challenges or
rearing children, in 1996, 6.8 million mothers in married couple families with children
under eighteen years of age, chose to forego any labor participation at all in order to
nurture their families. Within this year another 9.1 million mothers work part-time.
Together these families make up nearly 61% of those with children under eighteen.
Unmeasured by census bureau data, are the many mothers who are employed full-time
but have created schedules or work arrangements, including home-based employment,
which allow them to remain a daily primary caregiver to these children.
Meanwhile, the child care needs of the remaining employed mothers extend far
beyond the search for "quality care" so urgently depicted in the media. Rather, the
portrait of a "typical" working mother -- a woman whose preschoolers are subjected to a
night mare of inferior child care arrangements while on the waiting list for a "good"
daycare center -- is a mere glimpse of a much larger, much more poignant story about
today's mothers.
It is the story of a generation of women who were led to believe that motherhood
could be easily "hired out," and that life with children need not differ much from life
without them. It is the story of women who had no real idea of what caring for a child
would feel like or of the sophisticated skills and the sacrifice of time it would require.
Typical for so many of us is the story of a mother from Allentown, Pennsylvania, who
wrote: "I have always strongly supported the women's movement and consequently was
totally unprepared for the depth and strength of emotional commitment I felt for my
daughter. I never even considered not returning to work, so I wasn't prepared financially
when I didn't want to resume my old job. I am angry, frustrated, and hurt."
Women like this mother discovered that the kind of nurturing they want for their
infants and young children requires more than good custodial care; it demands the
full-time attention and untiring efforts of someone who has a vision of what their
children can become. Wrote a mother from New Plats, New York: " I just assumed that
after the birth of my son I would return to work and life would go on as before I had the
career position I had worked for all my life, a healthy child, nice home -- and I was
miserable. No one ever told me how I was going to feel.. "
Indeed this mother's words reflect the most common expression of new mothers,
and new fathers upon the arrival of a child: "I never knew I would feel this way!" How
they feel, and what they come to believe, is that their children would benefit from far
more of their direct care and interaction than the traditional full-time work week allows.
Yet, unprepared for their new realizations, many families find themselves financially
overburdened and anxious about future career options. And so, many first-time mothers
return to work, worried about their decision to do so, but assured by popular literature,
media stereotypes, well-meaning friends, and the overarching cultural messages about
motherhood and work that they will simply "adjust" as soon as they locate "quality child
care." And so, with misgivings and confusion, they begin their search for substitute child
care. Many of these mothers, after trying even the best care available come to a
conclusion about what they really want for their children.
Mothers At Home Co-founder Linda Button's own story of searching for child
care and discovering what she really wanted is that of millions of mothers. She has this to
say:
"My carefully worded advertisements for child care literally cam back to haunt
me. I was looking for someone 'loving, tender, reliable, responsible, nurturing,
intelligent, and resourceful... I had wanted someone who would encourage my
children's creativity, take them on interesting outings, answer all their little questions,
and rock them to sleep. Slowly, painfully, after really thinking about what I wanted for
my children and rewriting my advertisements, I cam to the stunning realization that the
person I was looking for was right under my nose. I had been desperately trying to hire
me."
What Mothers (and Fathers) Want
Poll after poll of mothers, show that they prefer to be the primary daily caregiver
of their own children, sometimes in tandem with their husbands. Thus, millions of
mothers fathers have sought ways to have one parent home full-time, to share the care
between them in "tag-team" arrangements, or to find part-time or home-based
employment options. Our nation's true child care experts are these mothers and fathers --
who everyday try to balance their children's needs while balancing their families'
budgets.
Unfortunately, parents are rarely invited to participate in the professional
associations, the lobby groups, and the educational symposiums and conferences
routinely held to discuss and decide what is best for children. Yet, millions of mothers
and fathers across our nation, participating in grassroots parent support groups,
baby-sitting co-ops, neighborhood associations, and thousands of other networks know
that their children need a great deal of their time, and thus are creating employment
patterns and career paths to meet those needs.
While the one-earner married couple family is no longer the absolute norm,
neither is it the dinosaur that it is so often painted to be. It still remains the preferred
model for a substantial number of families, especially those with pre-school age children.
Furthermore, the family of model of two full-time incomes, adding up to a combined
eighty-hour work week, is not today's norm either. And survey data of mothers and
fathers show that they don't want this choice for their families.
Mothers and fathers are seeking a renewed economic freedom and expanded
work/life options. They want freedom to choose parental care for their children and to
locate or create jobs and career paths that offer flex-time, part-time, job-sharing, or
telecommuting. They want to start their own businesses, some based at home. In fact,
women-owned businesses form one of the fastest segments of new business growth, and
it's easy to understand why. Yet, regulatory and tax barriers prohibit many Americans
from creating their own enterprises.
The current clamor for "affordable, accessible, and quality" child care has not
even begun to address the real desires of American families and the needs of their
children. As mothers continue to desperately seek ways to be home with their children,
they are derided as nostalgic. As fathers have attempted to expand their time caring for
their children, they have been stymied by financial constraints and cultural barriers. And
in all of this, the real needs of children, to begin their lives forming secure emotional
attachments with their families, have been forgotten. Our nation is enthralled with every
social program conceived except the one which best sustains our society -- the family.
Parents know that there is no greater quality child care than mothers and fathers, nor
more accessible. It still remains affordable, to many families, yet precariously so. It is
just barely out or reach of millions of others, but not so far that it can't be done. We must
have the national will to support parents in this, their choice -- to be the primary daily
nurturers of their children.
Mothers at
like Mothers At Home is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization devoted to the support of mothers who choose (or would
affirming a mother's choice to be home throughout the many stages of motherhood;
to choose) to stay at home to nurture their families. Founded in 1984, Mothers At Home is committed to:
Home
providing mother-to-mother support, education, and networking;
correcting society's misconceptions and refuting stereotypes about at-home mothers;
serving as advocates for children concerning their needs for generous amounts of their parents' time; and
empowering mothers to preserve and improve the opportunity for all women to choose home.
8310A Old Courthouse Road
Mothers At Home accomplishes these goals by:
Vienna, Virginia 22182
publishing address Welcome Home, an award-winning monthly journal that helps mothers at home across the
Order/Information Line:
and the intricacies and complex nature of the work of motherhood. Includes stories of mothers' struggles country
1-800-783-4666
Public Policy Phone/Fax:
ses public policy, reviews of available resources, and more;
of successes, articles on parenting, essays about the memorable moments and humorous episodes, analy-
703-237-0337
researching, families; writing, and and speaking out about the cultural and public policy issues important to women and
publication of two popular books, Discovering Motherhood and What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing At Home?;
Public Relations Phone/Fax:
703-534-7856
Mothers At Home website:
communicating with mothers' groups, the media, public policy organizations, government officials, and others.
www.mah.org
INDEPENDENT WOMEN'S FORUM
Statement of
Anita K. Blair
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
January 29, 1998
Who's Working for Whom?
The Clinton Day Care Plan looks at Americans and sees workers and taxpayers. We
look at Americans and see-people. People who work for a living, but who also want to
have a life. Parents and children who want to be a family, who want to be together.
But to be together, they have to have time. Earning a living takes SO much of their
time, they can hardly call it living. And for the typical family, nearly forty percent of their
income goes for paying taxes. That means forty percent of their time is spent working to
pay the government.
American families today need time and money. Lower taxes for families will put
money in their pockets and let them choose how they spend it. Lower taxes also will help
people reduce the time they have to work-by taking less overtime, for example, or
converting from full to part-time. But lower taxes must apply to all families, not just those
who use outside day care. This is absolutely necessary if we're going to treat people fairly.
Lowering taxes is not the only way the federal government can help families find time.
Many federal regulations restrict people from working in a way that's most convenient for
them.
What if Mom wants to take two hours off on Friday to see her child's game or play,
and make up the time the following week? Although you might think that would be a
?
decision strictly between Mom and her boss, in fact it's probably governed by federal wage
and hour laws, which would force Mom to take annual leave when all she wants is to take
off early. Comp time and flex time should not be a federal offense.
Many parents would like to work from home, communicating with their office by
telephone, fax and computer, yet able to be home with a baby or when the kids come back
from school. Many businesses would be glad to work this way, but IRS regulations
governing home office and equipment deductions remain complicated and difficult to
comply with, especially in a family setting, where the kids want to use the computer.
Simplifying these regulations and encouraging telecommuting would help families a lot.
Federal regulations also make it very expensive for employers to hire more employees,
because it increases the cost of payroll taxes and other benefits. This hurts people who
would like to job-share or take a reduced workload. Lowering payroll taxes and making
benefits more flexible would help families increase their family time.
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 550, Arlington, Virginia 22201-3057
Telephone 703/243-8989 Fax 703/243-9230
MYTH # 1: MOST CHILDREN ARE IN ALTERNATIVE CHILD CARE.
FACT:
THE MAJORITY OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN AMERICAN SPEND
THEIR DAYS WITH THEIR MOTHER.
Preschool Age: Possibly the most reliable indicator of child care trends across the nation is the
Bureau of Census report, "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" The most current report, issued
March 1996, indicates that mothers acount for the care of about 53% of all children below age
five -- 49.9% by non-employed mothers and 3.0% by mothers who care for them while "on the
job" (e.g., home based businesses). This figure rises to almost 61% when adding in children who
are cared for by both parents in "tag team" care arrangements (7.8%). Dad as sole care-giver
(1.5%) and the care of relatives (12.3%) account for the child-care arrangements of an additional
15%. Thus, three-quarters of young children in the U.S. are cared for by a mother, father or
other relative. Non-family members account for the care of only about 25% of children below the
age of five: day-care centers comprise 15.1%; in-home day care comprises 8%; and nanny care
accounts for 2.4% of the child care arrangements of young children.
Older Children: Another recent Census Bureau report² shows that non-employed mothers at
home care for 39% of children ages 5-14. Thus, non-employed mothers at home care for 23.4
million of the country's 56.1 million children (under age 15). The number of children cared for by
their mothers is even larger than these statistics indicate due to the Department of Labor's (DOL)
definition of "employed" mother. Included are mothers providing income by pursuing creative
and non-traditional employment opportunities at home with their children. Interestingly, the data
indicate that half of all employed mothers, in fact, work part-time. (See Myth # 3.) DOL's
definition of "employed" captures any and all labor force participation; it is not designed to
determine how many mothers consider themselves to be at-home mothers.
MYTH # 2: THE CHOICE TO HAVE A MOTHER AT HOME IS ONLY POSSIBLE IN
WEALTHY FAMILIES.
FACT:
CENSUS BUREAU DATA SHOW THAT MOST MOTHERS WITH A
STRONG COMMITMENT TO NURTURING THEIR FAMILIES ARE
THERE REGARDLESS OF ECONOMICS.
Despite the housing, tax and other financial burdens of today's families, millions of parents still
find ways to be the primary daily caregivers for their children. While some prefer to believe that
only wealthy families can afford the so-called luxury of having a mother at home, the reality is
quite different. U.S. Government data reveal that the typical American family with a full-time
I
Casper, Lynn M., Who's Minding the Preschoolers? March 1996, U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Report, P70-36, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
1996.
2
Casper, Lynn M., Mary Hawkins, and Martin O'Connell, Who's Minding the Kids? Child
Care Arrangements: Fall 1991, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports,
P70-36, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1994.
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 2
mother at home is middle-income. The Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (March
1993) reveals that the median income of married couple families with children and a mother at
home is $35,876, about $15,000 less than married couple families with children in which both
parents are employed ($50,621).
Many are mistakenly under the assumption that the husband's income in the typical family with a
homemaker is very high. Again, the 1993 Census Bureau data do not support this conclusion. A
comparison of the 1993 median earnings of a father with a non-employed wife ($31,540) to the
median earnings of a father with an employed wife ($31,099) shows that the typical father in both
types of families earn nearly identical incomes.
Many couples analyzing the economic impact of decreased income when the woman chooses to
leave the paid workforce find that it's expensive to have both spouses employed. Savings
associated with having a mother at home include the obvious child care (or after school care),
taxes, commuting and parking, wardrobe purchases and upkeep, transportation for the child, and
meals out for lunch and dinner. Many mothers live by the adage, "Where there is a will, there is a
way." Many couples make decisions so they can afford the choice, including downsizing their
homes, and either scaling down or foregoing vacations, cars, and luxuries. In addition, being
home allows many families to economize through comparison shopping and avoiding high-priced
convenience foods.
Consider the following:
~ "Career Moms," The San Diego Union-Tribune, March 4, 1995 reported on a study by
researchers Professor Mary Ellen Brooks and Dr. Pamela Laidlaw from United States
International University in San Diego (April-May, 1995). Their four-year study of hundreds of
mothers found that "the decision to engage in full-time parenting was not influenced primarily by
economic considerations, but followed from a mother's conviction that she is best-suited to
provide a safe, securing, loving and nurturing environment for her children."
~ The March 21, 1994 feature article in Barron's financial newspaper, "Working Women:
Goin' Home" focused on a report by Richard Hokenson, chief economist at Donaldson Lufkin &
Jenrette. A demographer by training, Hokenson discussed the economic issues impacting the
"demographic sea change," with two-paycheck families on the decline and the "traditional
one-paycheck family now the fastest-growing household unit."
MYTH # 3: MOTHERS FALL INTO ONE OF TWO DISTINCT CAMPS: "AT-HOME
MOTHERS" AND "EMPLOYED MOTHERS."
FACT:
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN "EMPLOYED MOTHER" AND
"AT-HOME MOTHER" IS BLURRED.
The improper media use of Department of Labor (DOL) statistics on work force participation has
led many people to the incorrect conclusion that there are only two types of mothers--those who
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 3
are employed full-time and those who are home full-time. Yet, millions of today's mothers
counted as "employed" by the DOL definition actually view themselves as at-home mothers.
For example, DOL's definition of "employed persons" includes: anyone who during the survey
week worked part-time as little as one hour per week or as little as one week out of the year,
worked in her own business, profession or on her own farm, worked fifteen hours or more as an
unpaid worker in a family-operated enterprise, provided alternate child care for money, and those
temporarily absent from their jobs for such reasons as maternity leave (whether or not they return
to their jobs), illness, vacation, bad weather, or labor-management disputes.
"In an effort to keep her original career goals somewhat intact while putting them on hold to rear
her children, she (today's mother) often experiments with full-time work, part-time work,
volunteer work -- sometimes overcommitting her time, then drawing back, then reaching out
again -- until she finds the right balance of attentiveness to home life and pursuit of outside
accomplishments. Indeed, many of today's mothers pursue non-traditional employment
opportunities to create more family time. Innovative options mothers today are pursuing include
job-sharing, flex- and part-time work, "tag team" parenting, telecommuting, home-based
businesses, and motherhood sabbaticals. All of these options are enabling mothers to have what
they want most: more family time.
`How many mothers fall into these categories? We don't know for sure. But we do know that
almost half (49.6% or 9.644 million) of all employed mothers (19.4 million) with children under
age 18 in married couple families are counted as being employed part-time.⁴ Indeed, two-thirds
(66.7% or 4.503 million) of mothers with young children (below age 6) are either employed
part-time or are full-time mothers at home.⁵ In all, 16.6 million (of 26.4 million) married couple
families (or 62.9%) with children under age 18 have a non-wage earning mother at home or a
mother employed part-time.
Recent statistics show that women constitute just under half of the 40 million self-employed and
salaried employees who currently work at home.⁷ In addition, there are 3.5 million home-based,
women-owned businesses in the U.S.⁸
So while Census Bureau data⁹ show that 6.94 million (or 26.3%) of all married couple families
with children have a full-time mother at home, the large number of part-time employed moms
is clearly evidence that family considerations are playing a key role in the number of hours
mothers are willing to be on the job.
3
What's A Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home?, Mothers at Home, 1992, p. 19.
4
U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, March, 1994
5
ibid.
6
ibid.
7
The Pampered Chef, Ltd., June 1996
8
ibid.
9
U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, March, 1994
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 4
MYTH #4: MOST MOTHERS AND FAMILIES WANT AND NEED BETTER AND
MORE CHILD CARE.
FACT:
MOST MOTHERS AND FAMILIES WANT MORE TIME WITH THEIR
CHILDREN.
Certainly, affordable and accessible child care are important issues for today's parents. However,
the perception that paid staff provide the majority of nurturing to young children is not based on
fact. Indeed, the 1996 Bureau of the Census Report, "Who's Minding the Preschoolers?"¹
indicates that only 15% of preschool children are in center-based care. In contrast, mothers
themselves care for almost 61% of preschool children (49.9% by a non-wage-earning mother,
7.8% are by tag-team parents, and 3% by mothers while employed, for example in a home-based
business).
An equally, if not more, compelling issue of our day is that mothers and fathers want more time
with their children. In addition, most people believe that the best care for a child is the care given
by a parent. Consider just a few of the many opinion polls that support this conclusion:
A May, 1997 survey of 1101 American women by the Pew Research Center for The People &
The Press found that 41% of women surveyed "thought that a family in which the father worked
and the mother stayed at home was best for raising children." Only 17 percent of women
surveyed said it was beneficial for children and society to have mothers work outside the home.
Among women who work full time, only 41% said they were confident that their situation was
good for their children. 44% of respondents with children under 18 "would choose to work part
time rather than full time;" and 25% said they would "prefer to stay at home."
A February 1996 survey conducted for the Independent Women's Forum by The Polling
Company found that more than half (55%) of adults are willing to trade some seniority or pay at
work in exchange for more personal time. One third (33%) of all respondents would choose to
have one parent at home full time with their children if their economic situation would allow.
The September, 1996 "Poll of Parents with Children at Home" by the polling firm Penn & Schoen
for the National Parenting Association found that 94% of parents surveyed endorsed "Tax
incentives to encourage family-friendly policies by employers, such as benefits for part-time
workers and flexible working hours."
Parents Magazine/Women & Work Poll/Reader Survey results published May, 1996:
43% of 18,000 mothers surveyed said they would like to stay home, nearly twice as many
mothers who felt that way in 1989.
68% of working mothers did not feel they had enough time with their family
If moms could choose to do whatever they wished: only 4% would choose full-time
employment, 61% would work part-time, 29% would not choose any paid employment,
10
Casper, Lynn M., Who's Minding the Preschoolers? March 1996, U.S. Census Bureau,
Current Population Report, P70-36, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
1996.
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 5
~ 56% of women felt "it is better for the child if the mother does not work"
A 1996 National Study of Women's Awareness, Attitudes, and Opinions conducted for
Concerned Women for America by Wirthlin Worldwide (1015 participants) found that 8 out of
10 American women agree with the statement, "If I could afford it, I would like to stay home and
be a full-time mother."
A May 1995 Louis Harris and Associates poll, conducted with the Whirlpool Foundation
and the Families and Work Institute found interesting responses to the question of work
preference if "you had enough money to live as comfortably as you'd like." Only 15% of the
women and 33% of the men would work full-time; 33% of women and 28% of men would work
part-time; and 20% of women and 17% of men would choose volunteer work.
A December 1994 USA Today Weekend reader write-in found 96% of 1,278 respondents
would take a pay cut for more family time.
A 1994 National Commission on Children survey asked parents to assess the amount of time
spent with their families. Fifty-nine percent responded that they needed more time with their
families: 30% thought they "needed a lot more," while 29% indicated they "needed a little more."
(Washington Post Health, July 19, 1994)
A May 1994 Child Magazine survey of 800 mothers with children below age 13 showed that
48% of mothers who work full-time would prefer cutting back their hours, 30% would stay home,
and only 20% would continue with a full-time career.
A 1993 study by the Families and Work Institute, "The Changing Workforce," (a nationally
representative study of 2958 waged and salaried workers) reported that 61% of the employees
interviewed would switch jobs for flexible time and leave programs. More specifically, 79% of
employees with children under 13 would be willing to change employers for more flexible work
arrangements, and 81% of employees with children under 13 would be willing to sacrifice
advancement for more flexible work arrangements. Seventy-six percent of young workers 18
through 24 years of age revealed that they were more willing to "make sacrifices in their
education, careers, and jobs than in their personal and family lives."
In 1993, Yankelovich's Monitor reported that 56% of women would leave work to be with their
families if they could afford to do so, in contrast to 38% responding similarly in 1989.
A 1991 Washington Post poll found that 55% of Americans believed a child is likely to suffer if
his mother works outside the home, up from 48% in 1989. A 1990 Gallup poll for the Los
Angeles Times showed 73% of the public believed children fare best when they have a mother at
home. A 1990 Times Mirror poll found that 73% of respondents believed too many children are
being raised in day care, up from 68% in 1987; and a 1990 Time Magazine poll of 18- to
29-year olds found that 63% hope to spend more time with their own children than their parents
spent with them.
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 6
MYTH # 5: WOMEN WITH CAREERS AND FAMILIES "HAVE IT ALL," WHILE
MOTHERS AT HOME ARE THROWBACKS TO THE 1950S.
FACT:
MOTHERS AT HOME TODAY ARE THERE BY CHOICE BECAUSE OF
A STRONG CONVICTION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT
THEY DO. EMPLOYED MOTHERS ARE FINDING THAT
HAVING IT ALL" REALLY MEANS MAKING TRADEOFFS.
Many women trying to balance full- and even part-time work with family life are concluding that
"superwoman" is a mythical figure. Despite the rewards of a professional career and financial
realities that lead some to employment, many women are concluding that "having it all" really
means making tradeoffs. Those tradeoffs include fewer opportunities to be with their children --
to experience the many firsts that happen but once, to impart their values, and to revel in the
endless challenges and joys of motherhood. Many employed mothers are also finding that the
balancing act often leaves them exhausted and stressed, overextended, and wishing for more time
with their children.
A report in the March 21, 1994 issue of Barron's financial magazine typifies the media's portrayal
of homemakers. The generally positive tone of the article of the trend of more women staying
home was contradicted by the illustrations: on the cover, a woman in 1950s garb holding a pie
peers at readers, while within the article other 50's-style scenarios contribute to the "throwback"
message.
Arlene Rossen Cardozo in her book, Sequencing (Collier/MacMillan, 1986) counters the myth
that today's homemaker is a throwback to the 1950s by noting that she is far different than her
sister of that era. Before the arrival of her first child, today's mother at home has often had more
education, work experience and career options. Writes Cardozo, "Sequencing is. the solution
more and more women choose of having it all -- career and family -- but not trying to do it all at
once, at all times in their lives."
In their book, What's A Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home? (Mothers at Home, 1986,
revised 1992), Linda Burton, et. al., write "it is difficult to find a woman who is unhappily 'stuck'
at home. Rather, most women who stay home are there because of enormous conviction about
the importance of what they do."
Media Contact: Marian Gormley, Mother at Home, Inc., Vienna, VA 703-534-7858 Page 7
CONTACT: Mothers at Home-Heidi Brennan, Public Policy Director-(703) 237-7219
or Independent Women's Forum-Barbara Ledeen, Executive Director-(202) 833-4553
Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources
Subcommittee on Children and Families
Hearings on
"Pre to Three: Policy Implications of Child Brain Development"
June 5, 1997
Testimony of
Diane Fisher, Ph.D.*
I am Dr. Diane Fisher, a practicing clinical psychologist, board member of Mothers
At Home, advisory board member and speaker for the Independent Women's Forum, and,
most importantly, the mother of two school-aged boys and a two year-old daughter. I am
indeed in the trenches of child-rearing, walking the fine line between satisfying my own
needs for professional stimulation and my deep conviction that children need a parent at
home. Based on my experiences both as a therapist and a parent, I believe it critical to be a
primary part of the environment that affects my children.
The "Quality" Illusion
Lately, we've read reports stating that high-quality, non parental daycare is the
equivalent of being at home with mom or dad. In reality, how much can "quality" daycare
accomplish? I feel sad for the parent who must drag her children into their car seats early
each morning, often with a waffle in their hands, still in their blanket sleepers and nighties,
off to what often ends up to be a ten-hour day at daycare. Is that parent able to be with her
children in that special intimate joyful way children need? Or must she rush from task to
task to survive the day? These are parents that deeply love their children! And yet these
children miss their parents' perspective on the world: their comments, jokes, the mirror
through which they learn who they are, a sense of family identity - irreplaceable stuff --
neither trivial nor superficial -- but so devalued in our society!
Brain Research
Recent studies of the brain have underscored the critical importance of the emotional
and physical environment to infants, and a child's irreplaceable ties to mother. As excited as
we are about infant brain development, we must remember that it is the emotional
development of the infant that forms the foundation upon which all later achievements are
Note (January 1998): This statement has been adapted from both Dr. Fisher's prepared testimony and actual
transcript of hearing. Further edits by Dr. Fisher have been included for clarification of points.
based. For the zero-to-three age group, this means that time spent drilling with flash cards is
time wasted. The infant's emotional security, the ability to feel safe and nurtured enough to
begin to explore the world, is what's important. For the infant, a mother is the environment
-- pre-natally and post-natally. As a society, we are uncomfortable accepting this - but it is a
biological fact. An infant is soothed by the mother's smell and voice. The warm mutual
cocoon of security between the mother and the child allows and inspires the flowering of
everything else in the child's personality. This is not an overstatement. Intellectual skills are
more resilient and can be compensated for - there is more plasticity. Emotional
development is very difficult to compensate for later. An infant can recover from a deprived
intellectual environment much easier than she can recover from emotional abandonment or
neglect. It is critical that we protect the budding parent-child relationship.
When we say "infant stimulation", what are we talking about? Black and white
mobiles? Vowel sounds? Specialized physical movements? No, we are basically talking
about attachment, or the unscientific word "love." Yet, we worry about what children three
and even younger should know and be able to do, and we want programs to measure it all.
Experiencing the everyday world on the arm of a loving, responsive parent is all the special
stimulation and material that most babies need. The secure attachment of the infant to the
mother is the critically important element for the child's overall development.
Infant Attachment
Attachment theory says that parents and babies are biologically "hard-wired" to form
a close emotional tie. This is not a quick bonding period -- one that fits into today's typical
twelve-week maternity leave. Rather, it is a slow, gradual process of many seemingly trivial
communication cues and responses that occur over the first year of life. The adult woos the
baby and encourages it to interact and explore, primarily by intimately sensing the baby's
needs and sensitively containing the child. Most of this is accomplished intuitively by the
mother who is motivated by love and enjoyment of her offspring. This attachment is not
something for which you can write a check or schedule on a calendar. Experts connect
attachment failures with the appearance of addictive behavior, loss of resilience to later
trauma, intimacy problems, sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, academic
problems, depression, and delinquent behavior.
There are some serious misunderstandings about attachment theory. In a recent
national research report (Key Findings from a Nationwide Survey among Parents of Zero-to
Three-Year-Olds, Zero to Three National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families, April
1997), more than half of parents surveyed thought that the more caregivers a child is exposed
to in the first three years, the better. In reality, "socialization" or resilience to separation is
not an appropriate goal for infants. Attachment optimally occurs with a single person who is
primarily available to the child. Experts believe it is only after this secure relationship is
firmly established (roughly in the middle of the first year) that baby is ready for secondary
attachment figures. Multiple caregivers, a common phenomena in institutional care, is very
destructive to the developmental goals of the first three years of life. It is unfortunate that
our society is impatient with slow, subtle infant schedules in this fast, goal-oriented culture.
Parents Are Best
An argument I often hear is: "Parents aren't perfect -- many are angry, depressed,
disorganized, or withdrawn with their children." Certainly, parents aren't perfect and do
2
benefit from information about their infant's development. When parents need help, let's
educate them to know how to find it and support them in their parental role. Let's not
succumb, however, to the elitist idea that we can't trust ordinary parents to successfully
manage the early phases of children's lives, or the idea that they can't nurture the infant as
well as, or without the help of, trained child care professionals.
Our culture displays an almost romantic, wishful perspective on parenting. We want
to believe in "quality time." We want to believe that no matter how many hours the parent
is separated from the child, that the parent will stay just as emotionally engaged with and
knowledgeable of her child as the parent who has spent far more hours of the day with her
child. However, we are now learning that this is just not true.
April 1997 National Institute of Children's Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study
Despite the "no more worries - daycare is fine" reports which appeared after the
results of the recent NICHD study was released, there was much that wasn't stated or
explained in the media. Let's look at what this study said and did not say. First of all, most
of the relieved headlines focused on the part of the study that showed that children in high-
quality daycare had cognitive and language skills better than those in low-quality daycare.
In fact, improving the quality of daycare had much less impact than expected on improving
the child's emotional and cognitive functioning. More important was the quality of the
home environment. What then, will strengthen the home environment?
The data pertaining to emotional attachment was more clear. The findings
showed that for non-risk families, the more hours in daycare, the more the mother-baby
relationship appears to be at risk of being adversely affected. Interestingly, it is a two-way
street: both the child and the mother appear to become less engaged and responsive.
Specifically, a mother's ability to sensitively respond to her child at three years of age was
still affected by the amount of separation experienced when the child was six months old.
Similarly, the more hours spent in substitute care in the infant's first six months, the less
positively engaged that child was with the mother at three years of age. The detrimental
effects of mother-baby separation over time were also cumulative: the more total hours of
separation, the less the infant was positively engaged with mother at two and three years of
age. If we agree that attachment and emotional development are critical for healthy, well-
functioning children, then encouraging parents to place their infants and young children in
daycare at early ages and for long hours does not appear to be in their children's, and
ultimately, society's best interests.
Things Unmeasurable
I have respect for studies that attempt to grapple with the issues of children's growth
and their response to different environments. I must comment, however, on what is not
measured. Science cannot quantify important social qualities such as compassion, courage,
character, and moral vision. These traits are inextricably linked with attachment and
emotional development. Do we really believe that these and other important values can be
reduced to learning objectives and effectively taught in all-day early childhood group
settings?
It is hard to see the reality of how children develop into whole human beings. When
one sees a young child riding through the supermarket in a grocery cart pushed by a parent,
3
or helping with the laundry, it is easy to think nothing significant is happening. These
seemingly ordinary moments can hardly compete with media images of smiling reading
circles led by certified teachers and stimulating primary-colored environments filled with the
latest sparkling "developmentally-appropriate" toys. It is easy to trivialize, even denigrate,
the simple day-to-day mother-child world. Some feminists and child care advocates are
uncomfortable even using the word "mother" and prefer the more politically correct
"caregiver." They believe focus on "mother" is oppressive, and that we should ensure that
women and men approach their parental roles with absolute equality, or perhaps sameness.
Yet children understand gender differences and yearn for connectedness to mothers and
fathers, each with their own unique qualities. Children do not cooperate with politically-
expedient social agendas.
Policy Implications
Let us take a moment to focus more directly on the recent policy conversation.
Despite the fact that the latest research confirms the importance of attachment, we are
paradoxically calling for expanded government support of daycare. The new daycare and
brain research is being presented in a way that ignores unpopular, factual findings and
instead is media-packaged to persuade Americans of the need for higher taxes and new
federal programs. When daycare is presented not as an option, but as the model for the
future, we have to ask ourselves, why? Perhaps many of us have become discouraged and
embittered by the avalanche of statistics on rising youth depression, drug use, violence,
children born to single mothers, etc. But we are in danger of prescribing the poison. In
response to reports of alienated children, and incompetent or disempowered parents, we are
prescribing institutional solutions for all families that will result in more familial
disconnection, further eroding typical parents' confidence as the most important source of
nurturance to their children.
A favorite argument is to say, "sure, more parental time with kids is best, but the
days of staying at home are over." In fact, the majority of parents of young children work
out arrangements that do not require both of them to work full-time (see Appendix). A
recent post-election poll (The Polling Company, for the Independent Women's Forum,
November 1996) found that only 15% of parents believe daycare allowing both parents to
work full-time was a solution to balancing work and family. Other polls echo these beliefs.
To claim that a national system of full-time daycare is the only viable economic reality or
the model for family life in the future is just not valid.
One-Size Solution Won't Work
The push for a federally-supported, universally-available system of daycare is the
mission of many child advocacy organizations. Those who speak out to "improve and
expand" daycare as we currently provide it often state that government support would not
affect those who choose not to use it. This is dangerously naive. Those that are free to
choose will be "free" at a financial price. Across the economic spectrum, many parents will
feel forced to seek employment and take their children elsewhere to be cared for by others.
With little societal support or validation for the role of the at-home parent, many parents
may succumb to the obvious economic incentive of "free" daycare. If government only
extends financial incentives for daycare options, extended school programs, and other
parental substitutes, we will be eroding support for the healthy autonomous families and
4
communities that can and do exist.
When this argument about government incentives is raised, daycare advocates retreat
to the emotional pull of the worst-case scenario, using the welfare, high-risk, or inner-city
impoverished child as a wedge to develop social programs that are then prescribed
wholesale for healthy not-at-risk families. Some of the NICHD data show that at-risk
children may benefit from some aspects of high quality daycare, whereas non-risk families
overall showed an opposite effect: the more hours in daycare, the less positively involved
was the mother with her infant.
This complexity about the risks and benefits of daycare for young children must not
be dismissed or ignored because it is politically uncomfortable. Not all parents need extra
help, but there are two groups that do. Most obvious is the grave set of needs of
disadvantaged, hopeless children in forsaken schools, with unwilling or incapable parents.
This is of grave concern to all of us and demands action in the form of foster-care reform,
family resource centers, high quality daycare, home support and community-based parent
education. However, we must not assume that parents are any less central to their children
in these cases.
A different problem is the crisis in middle-class and affluent mainstream families,
where child drug and alcohol use, suicide, depression, and moral confusion are also on the
rise. Children in these families have potentially capable parents who have become
convinced that hands-on parenting is less important than other demands on their time. They
often believe that parental functions taken over by professionals, including daycare, is
superior and thus a win-win proposition for parents and children alike -- and the more, the
better.
The Needs of Children and Their Families
Programs that further take children out of their parents' hands are the last thing that
families need. Policy policy and cultural solutions should insure that parent education and
early childhood development programs stress and support parental time spent with children.
The information we now have underscores the importance of time children spend with
parents from infancy through the teen years. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent
Health (published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 9/10/97) reported that
teens want and need more parental time than they are currently receiving. These study
results concur with the Carnegie Corporation of New York study of ten- to fourteen-year-
olds ("Great Transitions: Preparing Adolescents for a New Century," October 1995) which
found that pre-teens were desperately in need of more attention and time with adults. We
need to convey this strongly: parents are irreplaceable to children.
It is hard to overstress how vulnerable families are today. A struggling family can be
profoundly influenced by another one in which the parents have organized their lives to
have one parent at home for most or all of the child's day, or to be home after school.
Rather than forward a social-political agenda for expanding the number of children in
daycare (and the hours spent there), why not commit ourselves to protecting every parent's
opportunity to spend time with her or his children. We can support family leave and
workplace reform, substantial tax breaks for children, neighborhood schools, and parent
education which recognizes and supports the value of what parents do for their children.
5
I challenge Congress to choose a better, more humane model for the future. Rather
than a grim, subsidized, institutionally-controlled society, let's aspire to make possible a
more egalitarian society, accepting and incorporating the unavoidable truth that children
need their parents. Our modern ideas about women and men must not preclude the beauty
of a mother whose heart is fully open to love and nurture her infant -- a mother who is not
hesitant or emotionally distanced because separation is weeks away; a mother
unembarrassed to love being a mother; a mother fully supported by her spouse, her family,
and her culture.
Appendix
The 1994 Bureau of Census Report "Who's Minding the Kids?" shows that non-
employed mothers care for 47%, or 9.1 million of all pre-school children. Well over half, or
61% of young children are cared for by mothers when parent tag-team arrangements (10%)
and mothers with home-based employment/businesses (4%) are added.
The 1996 Current Population Reports, Consumer Income P60-197, published by the
Bureau of the Census shows that:
A quarter of all married couple families have children under age six (24.7% or
6,470,000).
Two-thirds (65.7% or 4,252,00) of these children are cared for by a non-employed
mother or a mother employed part-time.
Over one quarter (27.6% or 1,787,000) are cared for by a non-employed mother.
In married couple families with children under age 18, the median income for families with
husband and wife both employed is $57, 637. The median income for married couples with
a non-employed wife is $38,835.
Note (1/16/98):
Testimony at the June 5, 1997 hearing was also provided by: Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr.,
Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital; Dr. Harry
Chugani, Director, Positron Emission Tomography Center, Children's Hospital of
Michigan, Wayne State University; Dr. Anthony DeCasper, Head, Department of
Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Dr. Edward Zigler, Sterling
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Bush Center for Child Development and Social
Policy, Yale University; and Carlie Sorenson-Dixon, "retired" tax attorney, at-home
mother, and co-founder of several mother support organizations.
For information about their testimonies, contact: Senate Subcommittee on Children and
Families, Chairman Senator Dan Coats, Senate Hart Office Bldg. Room 625, Washington,
D.C. 20510. Phone: (202)224-5800.
6
Primary Child Care Arrangements Used for Preschoolers by All Families & Familles with Employed Mothers
All preschoolers (under 5)
Under 1 year
Number
Percent
Percent
Number
Percent
Percent
Total children 5 and under
19,727
100.0
3,878
100.0
Children with employed mother
10,288
52.2
100.0
1,738
44.8
100.0
Father (in home of Child)
1,898
9.6
18.4
359
9.3
20.7
Grandparent (in home of Child)
604
3.1
5.9
124
3.2
7.1
Other relative (in home of Child)
355
1.8
3.5
73
1.9
4.2
Nonrelative (in home of Child)
524
2.7
5.1
122
3.1
7.0
Grandparent (in Provider's home)
1,068
5.4
10.4
192
5.0
11.0
Other relative (in Provider's home)
565
2.9
5.5
105
2.7
6.0
Nonrelative (in Provider's home)
1,586
8.0
15.4
329
8.5
18.9
Day care
2,218
11.2
21.6
299
7.7
17.2
Nursery school or Preschool
801
4.1
7.8
20
0.5
1.2
School based activity
19
0.1
0.2
3
0.1
0.2
In school
88
0.4
0.9
0.0
0.0
Cared for by employed Mother
563
2.9
5.5
113
2.9
6.5
Primary Child Care Arrangements Used for Preschoolers by All Families & Families with Employed Mothers
All preschoolers (under 5)
Under 1 year
Number
Percent
Percent
Number
Percent
Percent
Total children 5 and under
19,727
100.0
-
3,878
100.0
--
Children with mother not employed
9,439
47.8
I
2,140
55.2
-
Children with employed mother
10,288
52.2
100.0
1,738
44.8
100.0
Cared for by employed Mother
563
2.9
5.5
113
2.9
6.5
Father (in home of Child)
1,898
9.6
18.4
359
9.3
20.7
Grandparent (in home of Child)
604
3.1
5.9
124
3.2
7.1
Grandparent (in Provider's home)
1,068
5.4
10.4
192
5.0
11.0
Grandparent - total
1,672
8.5
16.3
316
8.1
18.2
Other relative (in home of Child)
355
1.8
3.5
73
1.9
4.2
Other relative (in Provider's home)
565
2.9
5.5
105
2.7
6.0
Other relative - total
920
4.7
8.9
178
4.6
10.2
Total children cared for by related persons
5,053
25.6
49.1
966
24.9
55.6
Total children cared for by related persons or
by nonrelative in the the home of Child
5,577
28.3
54.2
1,088
28.1
62.6
Nonrelative (in home of Child)
524
2.7
5.1
122
3.1
7.0
Nonrelative (in Provider's home)
1,586
8.0
15.4
329
8.5
18.9
Other nonrelative - total
2,110
10.7
20.5
451
11.6
25.9
Day care
2,218
11.2
21.6
299
7.7
17.2
Nursery school or Preschool
801
4.1
7.8
20
0.5
1.2
School based activity
19
0.1
0.2
3
0.1
0.2
In school
88
0.4
0.9
0.0
0.0
Total children cared for by unrelated persons
5,236
26.5
50.9
773
19.9
44.5
CHILD-CARE CHOICES OF EMPLOYED MOTHERS
OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE and UNDER ONE, 1994
Under Five
Under One
Grandparent
Other Relative
Father-Care
Father-Care
Other Relative
Non-relative (in home)
Mother-Care at work
Mother-Care at work
Preschool & Other
Non-Relative
Non-relative's home
Day-Care
Day-Care
Source: Bureau of Census, Current Population Reports P 70-62, Who's Minding Our
Preschooler? Fall 1994 (Update).
Under Five
Under One
percent
percent
Mother-Care at work
5.5
Mother-Care at work
6.5
Father-Care
18.4
Father-Care
20.7
Grandparent
16.3
Other Relative
10.2
Other Relative
8.9
Relatives - total
55.6
Relatives - total
49.1
Non-relative (in home)
5.1
Non-Relative
25.9
Non-relative's home
15.4
Day-Care
17.2
Day-Care
21.6
Nonrelatives - total
44.5
Preschool & Other
7.8
Nonrelatives - total
50.9
FYL170
Patterns of Child Rearing for Children Under Five
Mother is Employed:
Care in a Group
Daycare/Preschool
15.9%
Mother is not Employed:
Care by Mother
Mother is Employed:
Care by Non-Relative
47.9%
10.7%
Mother is Employed:
Care by Relative
13.2%
Mother is Employed:
Care by Father or Mother
12.5%
Note: Figures are from 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and Documentation
for P70-62, Issued November 1997, and U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Division, United States Population Estimates,
by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, release PPL-57, 1990-1996.
Chart 21
FYI 170
Children Under Five and Mother's Employment Status
Mother is Employed
Full-Time
18.1%
Mother is Not
Employed
47.9%
Mother is Employed
Part-Time
34%
Note: Figures are from 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and
Documentation for P70-62, Issued November 1997, and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Division, United
States Population Estimates, by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, release PPL-57, 1990-1996.
3
Chart 3
FYI 170
Use of Paid Day Care: Children Under Five
Mother is Not Employed:
Mother is Employed:
No Day-Care Payments
Use of Paid Day-Care
47.9%
31.6%
Mother is Employed:
No Day-Care
Payments Made
20.5%
Note: Figures are from 1993 and 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and
Documentation for P70-62, Issued November 1997, and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Division, United
States Population Estimates, by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, release PPL-57, 1990-1996.
4
Chart 4
FY1 170
Children Under Age Five With Employed Mothers, 1977-1994
Percent of Children
80%
70%
60%
52.1%
51.4%
51.9%
50.5%
50%
49.3%
50.5%
50.5%
45.8%
40%
30%
0
28.1%
20%
1977
1985
1987
1989
1991
1993
Note: All figures are from Fall and except for 1985, which is from Winter.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and
Documentation for P70-62, Issued November 1997 and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Division, United
States Population Estimates, by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, various releases, 1977-1997.
5
Chart 5
FYI 170
Median Incomes of Married Couples With Children - 1996
$80,000
$70,000
$64,026
$60,000
$57,637
$50,000
$41,883
$38,835
$40,000
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
Dual Earner:
Dual Earner:
Single Earner:
Single Earner:
Husband and
Husband Employed
Husband Employed,
Husband Employed
Wife Employed
Full-Time, Wife
Wife Not Employed
Full-Time, Wife Not
Employed Full-Time
Employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Money Income in the United States: 1996, Current Population Reports P60-197, PP. 19-23.
Table 1:
FYI 170
Types of Child Rearing Arrangements: Children Under Five
(in thousands)
Number of
Total
Percentage of
children in each
children
children in each
type of care
under five
type of care
Mother is not
Employed: Care by
9,439
19,696
47.9%
Mother
Mother is Employed:
Care by Father or
2,461
19,696
12.5%
Mother
Mother is Employed:
Care by Relative
2,592
19,696
13.2%
Mother is Employed:
2,110
19,696
10.7%
Care by Non-Relative
Mother is Employed:
Care in a Group
3,126
19,696
15.9%
Daycare/Preschool
Note: Figures are from 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census, "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and
Documentation for P70-62, Issued November 1997. and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Division, United
States Population Estimates, by Age, Sex, Race. and Hispanic Origin, release PPL-57, 1990-1996.
6
Table 2
FYI 170
Children Under Five and Mother's Employment Status
(in thousands)
Percentage
Children in
of Children
Category
Under Five
Mother is not
9,439
47.9%
Employed
Mother is Employed
Part-Time
6,705
34.0%
Mother is Employed
3,582
18.1%
Full-Time
Total
19,696
100%
Note: Figures are from 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update) Detailed Tables and
Documentation for P70-62, Issued November 1997, and U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Division, United
States Population Estimates, by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, release PPL-57, 1990-1996.
Table 3
FYI 170
Mother's Employment and Types of Child Care for Children Under Five
(in thousands)
Children with
Total
Percent with
Employed
Children in
Employed
Age of Child
Mothers
Age Group
Mothers
Under One Year
1,738
3,857
45.1%
One Year Olds
2,085
3,872
53.8%
Two Year Olds
2,201
3,955
55.7%
Three Year Olds
2,088
3,987
52.4%
Four Year Olds
2,175
4,024
54.1%
All Children
Under Age Five
10,288
19,696
52.2%
Note: Figures are from 1994.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of the Census. "Who's Minding Our Preschoolers?" Fall 1994 (Update), Detailed Tables and Documentation
for P70-62, Issued November 1997, and U.S. Bureau of the Census. Population Division, United States Population Estimates.
by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin, release PPL.57, 1990-1996.
7
NOTES ON THE DATA
The figures in this paper relating to the use of day care were derived from the Survey of Income and
Program Participation (SIPP) conducted by the Bureau of the Census and from other Census data. SIPP
findings are issued periodically in reports entitled Who's Minding Our Preschoolers (Series P70).
For the data presented here, the terms "preschool" and "preschooler" always refer to children under
the age of five. Nearly all five-year-old children in the United States attend Kindergarten and are not in-
cluded in the preschool population.
The term "day care" refers to care provided to a child during the time a mother is employed or engaged
in self-employment activity. Day care is used to facilitate and support the mother's employment or self-
employment activities intended to generate income. A number of non-employed mothers do place their
three- and four-year-old children in preschool programs for a few hours per week in order to provide them
with educational and developmental opportunities. Such use of preschools by non-employed parents is not
considered day care, according to the SIPP survey, and is not included in the figures used in this report.
The term "mother" technically refers to the primary caregiver of the child within that child's family.
Although most such caregivers were, indeed, the children's mothers, the category also includes a small
number of guardians and fathers in single-parent/father-only families. The term "employed mother" also
includes a small number of mothers or primary caregivers who attended school rather than held a job.
8
RECENT SURVEYS AND OPINION POLLS
REGARDING WORK/FAMILY BALANCE
October, 1997
Certainly, affordable and accessible child care are important issues for today's parents. However,
an equally, if not more, compelling issue of our day is that mothers and fathers want more time
with their children. In addition, most people believe that the best care for a child is the care given
by a parent. Consider just a few of the many opinion polls that support this conclusion:
A May, 1997 survey of 1101 American women by the Pew Research Center for The People &
The Press found that 41% of women surveyed "thought that a family in which the father worked
and the mother stayed at home was best for raising children." Only 17 percent of women
surveyed said it was beneficial for children and society to have mothers work outside the home.
Among women who work full time, only 41% said they were confident that their situation was
good for their children. 44% of respondents with children under 18 "would choose to work part
time rather than full time;" and 25% said they would "prefer to stay at home."
A February 1996 survey conducted for the Independent Women's Forum by The Polling
Company found that more than half (55%) of adults are willing to trade some seniority or pay at
work in exchange for more personal time. One third (33%) of all respondents would choose to
have one parent at home full time with their children if their economic situation would allow.
The September, 1996 "Poll of Parents with Children at Home" by the polling firm Penn & Schoen
for the National Parenting Association found that 94% of parents surveyed endorsed "Tax
incentives to encourage family-friendly policies by employers, such as benefits for part-time
workers and flexible working hours."
Parents Magazine/Women & Work Poll/Reader Survey results published May, 1996:
- 43% of 18,000 mothers surveyed said they would like to stay home, nearly twice as many
mothers who felt that way in 1989.
~ 68% of working mothers did not feel they had enough time with their family
~ If moms could choose to do whatever they wished: only 4% would choose full-time
employment, 61% would work part-time, 29% would not choose any paid employment,
~ 56% of women felt "it is better for the child if the mother does not work"
A 1996 National Study of Women's Awareness, Attitudes, and Opinions conducted for
Concerned Women for America by Wirthlin Worldwide (1015 participants) found that 8 out of
10 American women agree with the statement, "If I could afford it, I would like to stay home and
be a full-time mother."
A May 1995 Louis Harris and Associates poll, conducted with the Whirlpool Foundation
and the Families and Work Institute found interesting responses to the question of work
preference if "you had enough money to live as comfortably as you'd like." Only 15% of the
women and 33% of the men would work full-time; 33% of women and 28% of men would work
part-time; and 20% of women and 17% of men would choose volunteer work.
A December 1994 USA Today Weekend reader write-in found 96% of 1,278 respondents
would take a pay cut for more family time.
A 1994 National Commission on Children survey asked parents to assess the amount of time
spent with their families. Fifty-nine percent responded that they needed more time with their
families: 30% thought they "needed a lot more," while 29% indicated they "needed a little more."
(Washington Post Health, July 19, 1994)
A May 1994 Child Magazine survey of 800 mothers with children below age 13 showed that
48% of mothers who work full-time would prefer cutting back their hours, 30% would stay home,
and only 20% would continue with a full-time career.
A 1993 study by the Families and Work Institute, "The Changing Workforce," (a nationally
representative study of 2958 waged and salaried workers) reported that 61% of the employees
interviewed would switch jobs for flexible time and leave programs. More specifically, 79% of
employees with children under 13 would be willing to change employers for more flexible work
arrangements, and 81% of employees with children under 13 would be willing to sacrifice
advancement for more flexible work arrangements. Seventy-six percent of young workers 18
through 24 years of age revealed that they were more willing to "make sacrifices in their
education, careers, and jobs than in their personal and family lives."
In 1993, Yankelovich's Monitor reported that 56% of women would leave work to be with their
families if they could afford to do so, in contrast to 38% responding similarly in 1989.
A 1991 Washington Post poll found that 55% of Americans believed a child is likely to suffer if
his mother works outside the home, up from 48% in 1989. A 1990 Gallup poll for the Los
Angeles Times showed 73% of the public believed children fare best when they have a mother at
home. A 1990 Times Mirror poll found that 73% of respondents believed too many children are
being raised in day care, up from 68% in 1987; and a 1990 Time Magazine poll of 18- to
29-year olds found that 63% hope to spend more time with their own children than their parents
spent with them.
* Data compiled by Mothers at Home, 8310A Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22181
(mah/presrel/time.sam)
AT-HOME MOTHERS DEFY THE STEREOTYPES
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT!
Prepared by:
Public Relations Department
Mothers at Home, Inc.
Publishers of Welcome Home
Vienna, VA
Revised/Updated December, 1997
Contact: Marian Gormley, Public Relations Director, 703-534-7858
[Permission is granted to copy this paper for further distribution, and to reprint any
portion provided proper credit is given and all quotes are kept in context.]
Mothers at Home, Vienna, VA, founded in 1984, is the largest national non-
organization providing support and encouragement to at-home mothers.
*
Award-winning monthly publication, Welcome Home
*
Publisher of three books: What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home?,
Discovering Motherhood, and Motherhood: Journey Into Love
*
Furthers the interests of women who are at home through public policy, advocacy and
media relations efforts
*
Committed to:
~ affirming a mother's choice to be home throughout the many stages of motherhood;
~ providing mother-to-mother support, education and networking;
~ correcting society's misconceptions and refuting stereotypes about at-home mothers;
~ serving as advocates for children concerning their needs for generous amounts of their
parent's time; and
~ empowering mothers to preserve and improve the opportunity for all women to
choose home.
For a complimentary issue of Welcome Home or to order publications, mothers can
call 1-800-783-4MOM (4666).
Mothers at
NEWS RELEASE
Home
PUBLISHERS OF
Welcome
TM
Home
8310A Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, Virginia 22182
For More Information, Contact:
HEIDI BRENNAN, Public Policy Director: 703-237-7219
DIANE FISHER, Board of Directors: 513-248-2994
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
AT HOME MOTHERS CHALLENGE DEFICIENCIES AND CLAIM BIAS
IN CLINTON CHILD CARE PROPOSAL
Vienna, VA -- On January 8, President
Heidi Brennan, Public Policy Director of
Clinton unveiled his $21.7 billion plan for further
Mothers at Home, states "Parents across
subsidizing non-parental care of our nation's
the U.S. are finding creative ways to spend
children. Highlights of the proposal are expected to
more time with their children. The
be heard at the January 27 State of the Union
President's new child care proposal will
address.
push both mothers and fathers into fulltime
employment, subjecting their children -
Mothers at Home reports that President
even in infancy ~ to extended hours of paid
Clinton and members of Congress -- under pressure
childcare. Research confirms that parent
by a powerful child care lobby to end the nation's
care is the best care. Why is the President
so-called child care "crisis" are rushing to give
trying to convince us that second-best care
America's parents what they don't want -- more
~ at enormous cost to taxpayers ~ is good
subsidized out-of-home daycare. The fact is,
enough for our children?"
mothers and fathers have been searching for and
creating opportunities that allow them to rear their
own children or limit the time their children spend in non-parental care. Whether they choose to pull
back from full-time paid employment to part-time,
Diane Fisher, psychologist and Board
open a home-based business, or quit employment
Member of Mothers at Home, says "The
altogether while their children are young, the
real crisis involving our nation's children
motivation for most parents remains the same -- to
is the subtle shunting aside and denial of
keep their children out of full-time daycare. Ms.
children's needs that is happening in our
Brennan, a former management consultant and
culture. Sadly, the White House appears
frequent speaker on family tax issues adds, "The
ready to throw money at the
likelihood of a federal budget surplus creates an
work/children issue rather than address it
enormous opportunity to support a new
in depth. A realistic appraisal of what
work/family paradign. Unfortunately, the President
daycare can and cannot do is needed: an
and some members of Congress want to reward
over-reliance on daycare is dangerous to
various special interest group lobbies through
our children."
legislation which further industrializes family life."
- More -
Mothers at Home/Clinton Childcare Proposals/Page 2
For more information or to schedule interviews, call:
Heidi Brennan, M.Ed, Public Policy Director of Mothers at Home, Mother of five
703-237-7219
Ms. Brennan is a former management consultant who has testified before Congress on tax
issues. Her policy specialty is tax, family income, and family-friendly workplace options. A
frequent speaker and interview guest, she most recently appeared on NPR radio and CNN's
CrossFire and Talk Back Live programs.
Diane Fisher, Ph.D., Psychologist, Board Member of Mothers at Home, Inc. and
Independent Women's Forum, Mother of three
513-248-2994
Dr. Fisher recently testified before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families
about infant brain development research and the needs of children. She speaks and writes
about work/family issues, child care policy, child development, and the needs of children.
Issues/Fact Sheets Available to the Media On Request:
*
Report on White House Conference on Child Care (10/97) by Heidi Brennan
*
Testimony (6/5/97) of Dr. Fisher before U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and
Families
*
Recent Surveys and Opinion Polls Regarding Work/Family Balance
*
Employment Statistics (Census Bureau)
*
Highlights of the U.S. Child Care Movement
MAH Public Policy Packet: Covers issues such as the family tax burden, family-friendly
workplace policies, employment and income statistics, and the impact of child care
legislation on families with an at-home parent. Call 1-800-783-4666; $7.50 (S&H included)
or send request to Mothers at Home, 8310A Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22182.
Mothers at Home, Vienna, VA, founded in 1984, is the largest and oldest national non-profit organization
providing support and encouragement to at-home mothers.
*
Award-winning monthly publication, Welcome Home
*
Publisher of three books: What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing at Home?, Discovering Motherhood, and
Motherhood: Journey Into Love
*
Furthers the interests of women who are at home through public policy, advocacy and media relations efforts
Committed to:
~ affirming a mother's choice to be home throughout the many stages of motherhood;
~ providing mother-to-mother support, education and networking;
~ correcting society's misconceptions and refuting stereotypes about at-home mothers;
~ serving as advocates for children concerning their needs for generous amounts of their parent's time: &
~ empowering mothers to preserve and improve the opportunity for all women to choose home.
- End -
(mah/presrel/98clint.sam)
Mothers at
NEWS RELEASE
Home
PUBLISHERS OF
Welcome
Home®
TM
8310A Old Courthouse Road
Vienna, Virginia 22182
For More Information, Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Heidi Brennan: 703-237-7219
Marian Gormley: 703-534-7858
ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL CHILD CARE NOT THE SOLUTION FOR TODAY'S PARENTS
Vienna, VA -- The upcoming October 23 White House Conference on Child Care will
address the strengths and weaknesses of the present child care system in America. Historically,
our national child care advocacy movement¹ has worked to do far more than merely improve
quality and availability for needy families. Its ultimate goal is to make substitute child care the
norm for America's young children and infants. "Millions of parents, those at-home and those
working part-time, are concerned that this conference and any resulting policy initiatives will
ignore their preference to care for their own children. Further, resulting legislation has the
potential to make it even more difficult for parents to care for their own children as well as find
flexible and creative solutions to the work/family balance," states Heidi Brennan. Ms. Brennan is
the Public Policy Director of Mothers at Home (MAH), the oldest and largest national, non-profit
organization supporting at-home mothers.
"The question of what is best for America's children and parents is best answered not by a
carefully selected panel of experts at the White House, but rather by the actions of parents
themselves. There is a message to be heard in the unprecedented and growing number of
mothers and fathers who are starting and operating home-based businesses, negotiating
new work models, and/or having one parent leave the paid workforce for a season of their
life to work as the primary nurturing parent," says Brennan.
Although full-time child care is a necessity for some families, and a choice for others, it is
not what the majority of America's parents want for their children.² Parents want respect and
support for their decisions about how to care for their children. Parents don't want their
government, influenced by the advice of some well-funded daycare and education interests or
so-called "experts," to create and/or fund expensive "one-size-fits-all" solutions.
- More -
I
"Background/History of U.S. Child Care Lobby" available on request.
2
See attached "Recent Surveys and Opinion Polls Regarding Work/Family Balance."
One-Size-Fits-All Child Care Not Solution/MAH/Page 2
Mothers at Home urges the President, Congress and legislatures to:
*
Read the polls: expanding funding for full-time day care without similar breaks for at-
home parents, endangers the choice of parental care, and is not what the majority of
American parents want or need;
*
Take alternatives to full-time child care seriously. Ask parents what they want, and
expand government's support of part- and flex-time work, job-sharing and
telecommuting options, informational resource clearinghouses regarding part-time child
care and jobs, and career re-entry opportunities for parents returning to the paid
workforce after rearing their children.
*
Continue to enact economic and tax reforms in an effort to reduce the
pervasive financial burden on families currently rearing dependent children,
including corporate incentives for providing family-friend work policies
other than those for full-time on-site day care,
*
Communicate frankly with the American public about the complexities and limitations
of current child care research as it relates to both the developmental and emotional
needs of our nation's children; and
*
Realize that solutions for our nation's highest risk and neediest families are not
necessarily the same solutions required by the majority of American families.
Those attending the White House Conference on Child Care will no doubt hear proposals
to increase federal funding for child care. Gail Richardson, Executive Director of the Child Care
Action Campaign (CCAC), has been instrumental in the planning of the conference. The CCAC is
a well-funded coalition of advocacy groups and for-profit businesses, working to increase the
number of children in full-time, center-based care. This does not appear to represent a balanced
or scientific discussion of either mainstream parents' or children's needs.
America has finally acknowledged that massive federal spending on welfare did not solve
the problems of poverty and that returning the responsibility to states and local communities
offered greater hope for solution. Yet, the federal government now stands poised to promote
another big-government solution to the most personal challenges faced by parents. In the process,
they are entirely ignoring what America's parents want and their children need: more time
together.
To schedule an interview with Heidi Brennan, MAH Public Policy Director, or another
MAH representative, call Heidi Brennan (703-237-7219) or Marian Gormley, Public Relations
Director (703-534-7858). Due to an enormous demand for information on this and other public
policy topics relevant to today's parents, MAH now has a public policy packet available. This
packet covers such issues as the family tax burden, family-friendly workplace policies,
employment and income statistics, and the impact of child care legislation on families with an
at-home parent. Call 1-800-783-4666; $7.50 (S&H included).
-30-
mah/presrel/whcc.sam 1.0/97
Mothers at
Heidi Brennan. Public Policy Director
Home
8310A Old Courthouse Road
TM
Vienna, Virginia 22182
Phone/Fax: 703-237-7219
Public Policy Information
Editor's Note: The following information is adapted from What's A Smart Woman Like You Doing At Home? (Chapter 6: Setting
the Record Straight) by Mothers At Home founders Linda Burton, Janet Dittmer, and Cheri Loveless (c. 1992, Mothers At Home).
Understanding Employment Statistics: What Do They Really Mean?
For almost a generation now, the media has been pointing to statistics from the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) and telling us that mothers are leaving home. As "working" mothers became a larger and larger
group, reporters began to dramatize the apparent shift from a nation of "traditional families." So well-known
and widely accepted have the DOL statistics become that hardly a reference to motherhood escapes mention of
them -- whether in news coverage, at community meetings, or in testimony before Congress.
The assumptions many of us make when we hear the DOL figures quoted seem reasonable enough. At a
glance, the actual numbers give indisputable evidence that combining a job with motherhood is a fact of life
here to stay for most women. The percentage of married women who hold a job and whose youngest child is
between ages six and eighteen rose from 49.2% in 1970 to 74.7% in 1990. For mothers of younger children
(under six years old), the increase was even more dramatic, rising from 30.3% in 1970 to 58.4% in 1990.
While there appears to be no need to argue with the validity of these statistics, there are, however,
grossly inaccurate perceptions about mothers and working -- not because the DOL statistics are incorrect, but
rather because of the carelessness in the way they have been presented to the public. Comparing what the DOL
statistics actually measure to what we have been led to believe they measure, yields a surprising conclusion:
Many mothers called "working mothers" by the DOL and the media consider themselves "at home."
The Department of Labor Definition of "Work"
The DOL statistics on working mothers are extrapolated from the results of a survey conducted by the
Bureau of Census called the Current Population Survey. Once a month, trained interviewers are dispatched with
this survey to a national sampling of about 59,500 "scientifically selected" households throughout all fifty states
and the District of Columbia. These interviewers ask standardized questions about the work status of all persons
sixteen years of age or older who are living in the targeted homes.
Although survey information is gathered each month, figures on working mothers are only officially
tabulated once a year, based on responses given during the month of March. The Bureau of Labor Statistics then
estimates how many mothers are working in the entire U.S. labor force by tallying the numbers obtained from
those sample households. (The survey is judged to have a relatively small margin of error.)
Because the objective of the survey is to identify trends by comparing labor force participation from
year to year, the DOL has had to devise a standard definition of "employment." This definition, as printed in an
"Explanatory Notes" section of the annual DOL news release on mothers and employment reads:
Employed persons are those who, during the survey week: (a) did any work at all as paid civilians; (b)
worked in their own business or profession or on their own farms; or (c) worked fifteen hours or more as an
unpaid worker in a family-operated enterprise. Also included are those who were temporarily absent from their
jobs for such reasons as illness, vacation, bad weather, or labor-management disputes.
This definition clearly encompasses more than the full-time working mothers most people have
imagined. According to the DOL, the 62.7% of all mothers who are usually described as "working outside the
home" also includes:
Mothers who work part-time, including as little as one hour per week.
Mothers who work seasonally, as little as one week out of the year.
Mothers who work from their homes either part-time or full-time, (including those mothers who provide
child care for others).
Mothers who work without pay for a "family-operated enterprise" at least fifteen hours per week.
Mothers who work full-time but have flexible hours.
Mothers who are on maternity leave, whether or not they return to their jobs.
The DOL definition of employment allows for the fact that some labor force participants will be home
for one reason or another during the week they are interviewed. Therefore, persons home on vacation, on sick
leave, or even on strike, whether or not they are being paid during their absence from work, are instructed to
base their survey response on ther "normal" work week. Women who are home on maternity leave are,
according to these guidelines, counted among the working population.
The Media Version of the DOL Statistics
Once we understand that the purpose of the DOL statistics is to measure total labor force participation,
it seems obvious that part-time workers, those who work from home, and those on leave should indeed be
included in the figures. Yet, the general public mistakenly believes these annual statistics represent only
mothers who work full-time away from their homes.
To avoid counting mothers in the survey more than once, the DOL lists each mother only by the age of
her youngest child. Unless this fact is explained to the public, however, most people believe that "mothers with
children under the age of eighteen" means mothers whose children are all under the age of eighteen. In fact,
many of the DOL's working mothers are women whose oldest children are grown, who have, perhaps, one
teenager still living at home.
Some news stories, in place of the percentage of mothers who are actually employed (62.7% for 1990),
quote a slightly higher figure (66.7% for 1990). This higher figure includes both mothers currently participating
in the labor force and those who are unemployed but who are looking for jobs. Again, it is the rare newswriter
who takes the time to explain that 4% of the women in this statistic report that they are seeking employment but
are presently at home.
Many articles on latch-key children and the debate over child care begin with a statement such as,
"According to the Department of Labor more than half of today's mothers now work outside the home." This
conjures up visions of half the nation's mothers leaving their children alone or in institutional care for most of
each workday.
The Impact of This Statistical Misunderstanding
Unfortunately, misunderstandings rooted in the misuse of the DOL statistics have been far-reaching.
First of all, the media itself has not been inclined to speak for, to, or about a population they believe to be a
dwindling minority. Even today, a publication oriented to the daytime homemaker and mother -- or one who
acknowledges her existence is difficult to find. Secondly, advertisers and businesses, conscious of the
"bottom line," have not wanted to risk selling to or manufacturing for a population they believe isn't there.
However, the most frightening result of misunderstanding the DOL statistics has been in the area of
public policy, especially regarding child care. Although "working mothers" include women who participate in
the labor force in a variety of ways, the notion persists that every working mother needs and desires substitute
care for her children. This mistaken assumption has led many well-intentioned people to routinely misuse the
DOL statistics as "proof" of the need for more institutional child care.
The message widely reported from the DOL statistics is largely a true one. Mothers today are indeed
participating in the work force in record numbers. There are more mothers than ever solely responsible for the
economic well-being of their families or jointly responsible where a single income will not make ends meet.
Mothers today have had more choices of careers, and more opportunities to continue pursuing them through
their child-rearing years.
But there is another message hidden in these statistics that is not widely reported, and which the
prevailing reports sometimes mistakenly deny. It is that mothers continue to make great efforts to spend as
much time with their children as possible. Not only do millions of mothers resist economic and social pressure
and remain outside the paid workforce, but millions of DOL "working mothers" participate in the labor force in
creative and non-traditional ways just so they will be available to their children a majority of the time.
The Department of Labor statistics, as misinterpreted by the general public, daily influence decisions in
millions of home, in thousands of business establishments, and even in local, state, and federal government
policy. Since these decisions are shaping the future of the country, it is imperative that the statistics be properly
understood.
Note: The DOL statistics reported here are for 1990. The MAH Public Policy Dept. will be updating them at
the end of 1997. However, media reports at this time show no substantive change.
Motherhood is indeed in the midst of a radical transformation. There are real and permanent changes
taking place. But these changes are not those that are presumed and frequently discussed by the media.
After a decade of deep internal conflict, a new American mother is emerging -- one who will soon
comprise an unquestioned majority. She is the mother who is learning to put family first without putting herself
last. She IS the mother who is willing to creatively experiment with her options until she finds a balance
between personal and economic needs and her desire to spend more time at home. She is the mother who is
shifting her work hours, dropping to part-time employment, starting a home business, or quitting work
completely whatever it takes to give priority to her home and to those she loves.
-- Linda Burton, Janet Dittmer, and Cheri Loveless (What's A Smart Woman Like You Doing At
Home?, C. 1992, Mothers At Home, publishers).
Mothers at
Heidi Brennan, Pubic Policy Director
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Vienna, Virginia 22182
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Phone/Fax: 703-237-7219
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Public Policy Information
Public Policy Update
Reprinted from December 1997 issue
of Welcome Home®
White House Child Care Conference
by Heidi L. Brennan
On October 23, the White House held a proclaimed "first-
dren" and declared that "society has the ultimate responsi-
ever" White House Conference on Child Care, hosted by
bility for the well-being and optimum development of all
President and Mrs. Clinton and Vice-President Gore, to
children." The panel recommended that the federal govern-
address the strengths and weaknesses of the present child
ment establish a network of "comprehensive developmen-
care system in America. One hundred guests listened to two
tal child-care centers" to accommodate 5.6 million children
panels of speakers in an all-day presentation on the theme of
by 1980, and to fund and train an additional 500,000 child-
more "affordable, accessible, and quality child care."
care workers." Indeed, Nixon laid the groundwork for that
During the luncheon, Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
conference and subsequent child care legislation by calling
thanked the guests for their many years of promotion efforts
in 1969 for "a national commitment" to give "all American
for child care, and promised them legislation that would
children an opportunity for healthful and stimulating de-
vastly expand government funding to help middle-income
velopment during the first five years of life."
families as well as more funds for low-income families.
Congress passed the first broadly targeted child care
Earlier in the day, Sen. Dodd announced a special proclama-
legislation in 1973, but it was ultimately vetoed by Nixon. In
tion passed by Congress: beginning in 1998, a "Child Care
1973 the first child care deduction passed, and three years
Providers Appreciation Day" will be recognized on the last
later it was replaced with an expanded child care credit
Friday of every April. The President and other speakers
(Dependent Care Tax Credit). Also in 1976, Congress ap-
throughout the day referred to child care providers as the
proved Title XX of the Social Security Act, which became the
"unsung heroes of America." No mention was made of at-
largest single federal program in direct support of child care.
home parents.
1980s-Growth of Child Care Movement
Members of Congress, their staffs, and special guests
The most recent major initiative for substantially expand-
were able to view a large screen satellite feed of the day's
ing federal subsidies for child care was in 1987-88. The ABC
proceedings while being provided a free catered breakfast
and lunch. Over one hundred satellite feeds were also pro-
bill (Act for Better Child Care) was supported by a broad
coalition of groups which has continued to work since that
vided to sites in nearly all fifty states.
time to expand funding and regulation. Other child care
Our national child care advocacy movement has sought
spending bills were later passed as parts of various block
to do far more than simply improve the quality and avail-
grants to states, with targeted funds to low-income families.
ability of child care for those who desperately need it. A
review of the history reveals that this movement has always
The guiding vision for a national model of child care, with
focused on making full-time substitute child care the norm
an estimated cost of 75 to 100 billion dollars, was set forth by
for most American families.
Dr. Edward Zigler in a speech at the National Health Policy
Forum, September 23, 1987. (Several speakers at this year's
1970s-Early Child Care Initiatives
White House Conference on Child Care alluded to Zigler's
The claim that this is the first-ever White House child care
vision as the model they sought for future child care.)
conference is inaccurate. In 1970, President Nixon hosted a
Dr. Zigler is the Sterling Professor of Psychology and
White House Conference on Children. The resulting report
Director of the Bush Center for Child Development and
cited "new" research demonstrating daycare to be "highly
Social Policy, Yale University. He is perhaps the most influ-
beneficial to the social and intellectual functioning of chil-
ential child development professional in public policy, and
was the first Director of the Office of Child Development
limited $500 child tax credit. Unfortunately it only margin-
(since renamed) under Nixon and participated in the 1970
ally addresses the many decades of increased tax burden on
White House conference. In his 1987 presentation, he had
families with dependent children. Furthermore, tax code
this to say:
discrimination remains in place against married couples
"We can solve the child care crisis by implementing a second
and families who do not purchase child care, thus are not
system within already existing elementary school buildings, where
qualified for the current Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC).
formal education takes place, and creating the school of the twenty-
first century. This second system will operate on-site child care for
While the recent White House Conference on Child Care
children ages three to twelve, and will have three outreach pro-
narrowly focused on child care, numerous public opinion
grams: a family support system for first time parents; support for
polls confirm what Mothers At Home has learned. For nearly
family daycare homes within the neighborhood; information and
fifteen years, MAH has received an enormous number of
referral services.
comments from both at-home and employed mothers. Par-
"Next, we should take all the family daycare homes surround-
ents prefer the type of assistance that allows them to make
ing the school and combine them into a network with the school's
their own choices regarding the care of their children. More
child care system providing the hub of this network (which)
specifically, they want:
would monitor, train, and generally support the family daycare
(1) Support and incentives for ongoing family-friendly
mothers (who would take care of children under age three) When
changes in our workplaces which emphasize time with chil-
most women are in the work force, we can expect that this nation
dren rather than time away from them. A rapid expansion of
will not be opposed to a tax for child care. However, during the
a wide range of part-time career/work, telecommuting, flex-
interim period, in order to absorb costs, and to keep quiescent the
time, and job-sharing options; as well as improved career re-
vocal and active minority of taxpayers who do not wish to see public
entry opportunities for mothers and fathers returning to the
monies expended to aid women's entry into the out-of-home work
paid labor force after rearing children.
force, I suggest a fee system private businesses should be induced
(2) Significant economic and tax reforms to reduce the
to routinely include child care as a conventional fringe benefit for
pervasive financial burden on families currently rearing
employees This plan is the fruit of almost a quarter of a century of
dependent children.
my thought on this matter We must institutionalize high quality
(3) Support for local efforts to expand informational re-
child care for each and every child who requires such care."
source clearinghouses on work and child care options which
1990s-Pressure to Expand Child Care Funding
support the real work/family balance.
Public relations groundwork for the White House Con-
(4) An acknowledgment that solutions for our highest
ference on Child Care was laid last spring, when the White
risk and neediest families are not necessarily the same solu-
House also hosted its "Conference on Early Childhood De-
tions required by the majority of American families.
velopment: What the Newest Research on the Brain Tells Us
(5) An honest discussion, evaluation, and presentation of
About Our Youngest Children" (4/17/97). This conference
current child care research and its current complexities and
was but one part of a national communications campaign
limitations.
about early childhood and infant brain development.
(6) A cultural renaissance recognizing the dignity of work
The highest profile organization to promote child care
parents do in nurturing their children.?
expansion is the Child Care Action Campaign, which got its
start during the ABC legislative effort. Based in New York
Heidi Brennan, Marian Gormley, and Margie Johnson of the
City, CCAC Executive Director Gail Richardson was instru-
MAH management team attended the Congressional satellite feed
mental in the development of the White House Child Care
of this conference. Later that day, Heidi appeared on CNN's
Conference.
Crossfire, with co-hosts John Sununu and Bill Press. She debated
Meanwhile, previous legislative attempts to reduce the
producer/actor Rob Reiner, who has been a leader in early child-
tax burden on families finally resulted in the passage of a
hood development and child care issues.
Mothers at
Mothers At Home is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization devoted to the support of mothers who choose (or would
like to choose) to stay at home to nurture their families. Founded in 1984, Mothers At Home is committed to:
affirming a mother's choice to be home throughout the many stages of motherhood;
Home
providing mother-to-mother support, education, and networking;
correcting society's misconceptions and refuting stereotypes about at-home mothers;
serving as advocates for children concerning their needs for generous amounts of their parents' time; and
empowering mothers to preserve and improve the opportunity for all women to choose home.
Mothers At Home accomplishes these goals by.
8310A Old Courthouse Road
publishing Welcome Home, an award-winning monthly journal that helps mothers at home across the country
Vienna, Virginia 22182
address the intricacies and complex nature of the work of motherhood. Includes stories of mothers' struggles
Order/Information Line:
and successes, articles on parenting, essays about the memorable moments and humorous episodes, analy-
1-800-783-4666
ses of public policy, reviews of available resources, and more;
Public Policy Phone/Fax:
publication of two popular books, Discovering Motherhood and What's a Smart Woman Like You Doing At Home?;
703-237-0337
researching, writing, and speaking out about the cultural and public policy issues important to women and
Public Relations Phone/Fax
families; and
703-534-7856
communicating with mothers' groups, the media, public policy organizations, government officials, and others.
Mothers At Home website.
www.mah.org
11/97
214 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4999
(202) 546-4400
http://www.heritage.org
F.Y.I.
Che
Heritage Foundation
No. 170
January 23, 1998
FACTS ABOUT AMERICAN FAMILIES
AND DAY CARE
Robert Rector
Senior Policy Analyst
ontemporary myth suggests that parental care of children in the United States has all but disap-
C
peared, nearly all mothers are employed, and nearly all preschool children are being cared for in
day-care centers. The facts, according to the most recently available data from the Census Bureau,
present a dramatically different picture. According to the Census data, nearly half (48 percent) of
all American children under the age of five do not have employed mothers and are still being cared for in
the home.
Current Patterns of Child Rearing. A related misconception is that maternal employment and day-
care use are increasing rapidly. This is also untrue. Although day-care use did increase rapidly through the
late 1980s, the increase has come to a halt in recent years. The percentage of children under age five with
employed mothers nearly doubled from the mid-1970s through 1988. But in subsequent years, maternal
employment remained fixed; in 1994 (the last year reported by the Census), the percentage of preschool
children with employed mothers was still 52 percent, the same as it was in 1988.
Moreover, if the mother of a child under five years old is employed, she is unlikely to be employed full-
time. Overall, 48 percent of preschool children have non-employed mothers, 34 percent have mothers who
are employed part-time, and only 18 percent have mothers who are employed full-time. (The number of
preschoolers whose mothers are employed full-time throughout the year would be even lower.)
When the mother is employed, use of formal day-care centers is relatively uncommon. Far more com-
mon is care given by parents and relatives. Some 12 percent of preschool children are cared for by the
mother while she is employed or by the father during the mother's hours of employment. (This group in-
cludes tag-team parents who work different shifts so that one can remain at home while the other is work-
ing.) Finally, some 13 percent of preschool children are cared for by other relatives, such as grandparents
or aunts, while the mother is employed.
Nothing written here IS to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of The Heritage Foundation
or as an attempt to and of hinder the passage of any bill before Congress.
The 27 percent of preschool children who are cared for by neither parent nor relative can be divided into
two groups: Some 11 percent are in informal care with neighbors or nannies; another 16 percent are in day- "
care or preschool centers.
The Real Picture of Preschool Care. These figures paint a picture that is the exact opposite of that ad-
vanced by most advocates of professional day care. Examining the data on preschool children as a group
reveals that:
48 percent are cared for by a non-employed mother;
12 percent are cared for by the mother or father while the mother is employed;
13 percent are cared for by relatives;
11 percent are in informal non-relative care; and
16 percent are in formal day care or preschool while the mother is employed.
Overall, some 73 percent of children under the age of five are cared for by their parents or other relatives.
And only one preschool child in six is cared for in a formal day-care or preschool center while the child's
mother is employed.
The high prevalence of parental and relative care means that the use of paid day care is comparatively
uncommon. Only about one-third of children under age five are in some form of paid day care while the
mother is employed.
The Impact on Family Income. Nearly 80 percent of the preschool children using any form of day care
come from married-couple families with two income earners. In 1996, the median income of married cou-
ples with children when both parents were employed was $57,637. By contrast, vast numbers of married
couples make a large financial sacrifice so that one parent can remain at home with their children. In 1996,
the median income of married couples with children when the husband, but not the mother, was employed
was $38,835. Thus, the incomes of two-parent/single-earner families are some $20,000 a year less on av-
erage than the incomes of dual-earner families who are the predominant users of day care.
Families and Taxes. All families with children have suffered from the enormous increase m govern-
ment taxation during the past 50 years. In 1948, the average family of four paid 3 percent of its income to
the federal government in direct taxes; by 1997, the tax burden had risen to 24.7 percent. When state, local,
and indirect taxes are added, the total tax bite rose to 38 percent in 1997.
Congress recently enacted family tax relief in the form of a tax credit worth $400 per child in 1998 and
$500 per child each subsequent year. Because of this credit, federal direct taxes on the typical family of
four will fall from 24.7 percent in 1997 to 23.3 percent in 1998. This cut represents the first real and sus-
tained reduction in the federal tax burden on families with children in all of the last half-century.
This is a laudable first step in reducing the tax burden on families with children. Congress should build
on this foundation by providing additional tax relief to families with preschool children. This tax relief
should be broad-based and non-discriminatory: It should be available to all taxpaying families with pre-
school children-not merely the small and affluent minority of parents who use paid day care.
2
The Chattanooga Times
January 29, 1998, Thursday
SECTION: National; Pg. D8
LENGTH: 661 words
HEADLINE: GOP would cut taxes, aid moms who stay home
BYLINE: By Laura Meckler, The Associated Press
BODY:
WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republicans are offering a child-care plan that
focuses on tax cuts and stay-at-home mothers. But the whole issue is low on the
leadership's list of priorities.
Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., led a group of moderate Republicans in
introducing a bill Wednesday, and said he was disappointed that child care did
not make the GOP leaders' list of 19 priorities for the coming months.
"They don't really care about this issue," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who
has introduced his own bill. "It's quite apparent."
To give momentum to the GOP bill, President Clinton offered encouraging
words, saying the Republican measure mirrors many of his own proposals. "With
this important contribution from Senator Chafee and his Senate colleagues, we
move significantly closer to enacting child-care legislation that is right for
America's children," Clinton said in a statement.
In the House, many Republican leaders would just as soon leave child care
alone, said Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., who chairs a Ways and Means subcommittee
that handles some child-care issues.
Shaw said there is plenty of federal child-care money available already for
people coming off welfare, and Washington doesn't need to subsidize middle- and
upper-middle-class families. Still, he said, the GOP may have no choice in this
election year.
"I don't want to be perceived as being against child care but at some point
you have to draw the line, and politically it's very awkward to do that," Shaw
said. "It's an election year so people are going to act a little funny."
Republicans say they are prepared to answer Clinton's call for a $21.7
billion program that combines subsidies for low-income parents, tax credits for
middle-class parents and tax incentives for businesses that provide their
workers with child care.
In both the House and Senate, leaders are talking about tax credits for
parents who stay at home to care for their children. And they're making the case
for broad-based tax cuts that would give families more money to spend however
they see fit.
Both approaches are in contrast to Clinton's plan, which targets working
parents.
In the Senate, Republican Dan Coats of Indiana plans a news conference today
to push his argument that new money should be targeted to parents who stay at
home with their children. He'll tout a poll by the conservative Family Research
Council indicating parents would prefer to spend more time with their children
if they could afford it.
Chafee's bill would allow stay-at-home parents to qualify for the
dependent-care tax credit, which is available to working parents to offset the
cost of child care. But, he notes, his plan would provide a maximum of just
$900 per year per family -- not enough for most parents to give up a second
income.
"That's not going to take care of (many) working moms," he said.
His plan is estimated to cost about $12 billion over five years, including $5
billion for subsidies to low-income working parents.
But two co-sponsors, Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Susan Collins, R-Maine,
emphasized its aid to stay-at-home parents.
"For the first time, we establish that a parent in the home is child care
and sacrificing a second income is an expense," Hatch said.
Some wonder if Congress is sending mixed messages. Members tout new research
showing the crucial brain development during a child's early years and argue
parents should be encouraged to stay home. Yet the welfare overhaul law requires
mothers to work.
In the House, Republican leaders have appointed Reps. Jennifer Dunn of
Washington and Deborah Pryce of Ohio -- two working mothers -- to formulate
child-care strategy. They are pushing for tax breaks.
"You have to decide how invasive should the federal government be in the
lives of taxpayers," Dunn said Wednesday. "Leaving more dollars in the pockets
of families is going to allow them to do whatever they want to do with the
money."
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: January 29, 1998
Copyright 1998 Bulletin Broadfaxing Network, Inc.
The Bulletin's Frontrunner
January 29, 1998, Thursday
SECTION: WASHINGTON NEWS
LENGTH: 499 words
HEADLINE: Republicans Offer Child Care Plans.
BODY:
The AP (1/28, Meckler) reported although congressional Republicans are
offering a child care plan that focuses on tax cuts and stay-at-home mothers,"
the issue is "low on the leadership's list of priorities." Sen. John Chafee
(R-RI) "led a group of moderate Republicans in introducing a bill" yesterday,
and he said he was "disappointed that child care did not make the GOP leaders'
list of 19 priorities for the coming months." Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT), who
has "introduced his own bill," said, "They don't really care about this issue.
It's quite apparent." The AP added that in a statement designed to "give
momentum to the GOP bill," President Clinton "offered encouraging words, saying
the Republican measure mirrors many of his own proposals." Chafee's measure
would "allow stay-at-home parents to qualify for the dependent-care tax credit,
which is available to working parents to offset the cost of child care."
However, Chafee said the plan would "provide a maximum of just $900 per year
per family -- not enough for most parents to give up a second income," adding,
"That's not going to take care of (many) working moms." The AP added that the
Chafee bill is "estimated to cost about $12 billion over five years, including
$5 billion for subsidies to low-income working parents." Sens. Orrin Hatch
(R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who are cosponsoring the legislation,
"emphasized its aid to stay-at-home parents." Meanwhile, Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)
will hold a news conference today to "push his argument that new money should be
targeted to parents who stay at home with their children." Coats will "tout a
poll by the conservative Family Research Council indicating parents would prefer
to spend more time with their children if they could afford it." On the House
side, Rep. Clay Shaw said many GOP leaders would "just as soon leave child
care alone," but Republicans "may have no choice in this election year."
The Salt Lake Tribune (1/29, Ramstack) reported, "Sen. Orrin Hatch proposed
a bill Wednesday that would give tax breaks to working parents and encourage
their employers to provide child-care facilities. Unlike previous proposals,
this measure also would give a tax break to parents who stay at home to care for
children. 'We must also realize the value of a parent in the home and that the
sacrifice of a second income is also a child-care expense." Hatch, along
with four other senators, is sponsoring a bill that would allow 11 parents who
earn less than $30,000 a year to be able to deduct half their child-care
expenses from their taxes. Parents who stay at home to care for children could
qualify for an additional tax break, which would be worth about $900 a year,"
the Tribune said. The bill would also "authorize $5 billion in Federal funds
over five years for states to operate their own child-care programs. The bill
also would create a tax credit for small businesses to provide child-care
facilities to employees."
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: January 29, 1998
Copyright 1998 Associated Press
AP Online
January 29, 1998; Thursday 05:30 Eastern Time
SECTION: Washington - general news
LENGTH: 265 words
HEADLINE: GOP Wants Plan Favoring Home Moms
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
BODY:
Congressional Republicans want a child-care plan that focuses on tax cuts
and stay-at-home mothers.
Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., led a group of moderate Republicans in
introducing a bill Wednesday, and said he was disappointed that child care did
not make the GOP leaders' list of 19 priorities for the coming months.
In the House, many Republican leaders would just as soon leave child care
alone, said Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., who chairs a Ways and Means subcommittee
that handles some child-care issues.
Shaw said there is plenty of federal child-care money available already for
people coming off welfare, and Washington doesn't need to subsidize middle- and
upper-middle-class families. Still, he said, the GOP may have no choice in this
election year.
"I don't want to be perceived as being against child care but at some
point you have to draw the line, and politically it's very awkward to do that,"
Shaw said. "It's an election year so people are going to act a little funny."
Republicans say they are prepared to answer Clinton's call for a $21.7
billion program that combines subsidies for low-income parents, tax credits for
middle-class parents and tax incentives for businesses that provide their
workers with child care.
In both the House and Senate, leaders are talking about tax credits for
parents who stay at home to care for their children. And they're making the case
for broad-based tax cuts that would give families more money to spend however
they see fit.
Both approaches are in contrast to Clinton's plan, which targets working
parents.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: January 29, 1998
The Associated Press
AP Online
January 28, 1998; Wednesday 19:52 Eastern Time
SECTION: Washington - general news
LENGTH: 602 words
HEADLINE: GOP: Dont Forget Stay-At-Home Moms
BYLINE: LAURA MECKLER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
BODY:
Congressional Republicans are offering a child-care plan that focuses on
tax cuts and stay-at-home mothers. But the whole issue is low on the
leadership's list of priorities.
Sen. John Chafee, R-R.I., led a group of moderate Republicans in
introducing a bill Wednesday, and said he was disappointed that child care
not make the GOP leaders' list of 19 priorities for the coming months.
"They don't really care about this issue," said Sen. Chris Dodd. D-Conn.,
who has introduced his own bill. "It's quite apparent."
In the House, many Republican leaders would just as soon leave child care
alone. said Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., who chairs a Ways and Means subcommittee
that handles some child-care issues.
Shaw said there is plenty of federal child-care money available already for
people coming off welfare, and Washington doesn't need to subsidize middle- and
upper-middle-class families. Still, he said, the GOP may have no choice in this
election year.
"I don't want to be perceived as being against child care but at some
point you have to draw the line, and politically it's very awkward to do that,"
Shaw said. "It's an election year SO people are going to act a little funny."
Republicans say they are prepared to answer President Clinton's call for a
$21.7 billion program that combines subsidies for low-income parents, tax
credits for middle-class parents and tax incentives for businesses that provide
their workers with child care.
In both the House and Senate, leaders are talking about tax credits for
parents who stay at home to care for their children. And they're making the case
for broad-based tax cuts that would give families more money to spend however
they see fit.
Both approaches are in contrast to Clinton's plan, which targets working
parents.
In the Senate, Republican Dan Coats of Indiana plans a news conference
Thursday to push his argument that new money should be targeted to parents who
stay at home with their children. He'll tout a poll by the conservative Family
Research Council indicating parents would prefer to spend more time with their
children if they could afford it.
Chafee's bill would allow stay-at-home parents to qualify for the
dependent-care tax credit, which is available to working parents to offset the
cost of child care. But, he notes, his plan would provide a maximum of just
$900 per year per family not enough for most parents to give up a second income.
"That's not going to take care of (many) working moms," he said.
In both the House and Senate, leaders are talking about tax credits for
parents who stay at home to care for their children. And they're making the case
for broad-based tax cuts that would give families more money to spend however
they see fit.
Both approaches are in contrast to Clinton's plan, which targets working
parents.
In the Senate, Republican Dan Coats of Indiana plans a news conference
Thursday to push his argument that new money should be targeted to parents who
stay at home with their children. He'll tout a poll by the conservative Family
Research Council indicating parents would prefer to spend more time with their
children if they could afford it.
Chafee's bill would allow stay-at-home parents to qualify for the
dependent-care tax credit, which is available to working parents to offset the
cost of child care. But, he notes, his plan would provide a maximum of just
$900 per year per family not enough for most parents to give up a second income.
"That's not going to take care of (many) working moms," he said.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
LOAD-DATE: January 28, 1998
S116
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
January 28, 1998
First, the maximum credit percentage
SECTION 1. SHORT TTTLE: TABLE OF
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE-The amendments
is increased from 30 percent to 50 per-
CONTENTS.
made by this section apply to taxable years
cent to provide more benefits to those
(a) SHORT TTTLE-This Act may be cited as
beginning after December 31, 1998.
most in need. Second, the income level
the "Caring for Children Act".
SEC. 102. PROMOTION OF DEPENDENT CARE A8-
at which the maximum credit begins to
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.-The table of con-
SISTANCE PROGRAMS.
tents for this Act is as follows:
be reduced is moved from $10,000 to
(a) PROMOTION OF DEPENDENT CARE ABSIST-
$30,000, BO that more lower-income fam-
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
ANCE PROGRAMS.-The Secretary of Labor
TITLE I-TAX RELIEF TO INCREASE
shall establish a program to promote aware-
ilies will qualify for the maximum
CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY
ness of the use of dependent care assistance
amount of assistance. Third, we pro-
programs (as described in section 129(d) of
pose to completely phase out the credit
Sec. 101. Expansion of dependent care tax
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) by
for wealthier families. Finally. families
credit.
ployers.
where one spouse stays at home to care
Sec. 102. Promotion of dependent care as-
sistance programs.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATI
i
for the children will be eligible for a
Sec. 103. Allowance of credit for employer
There is authorized to be appropriated to
credit similar to the one they would re-
expenses for child care assist-
carry out the program under paragraph (1)
ceive if both parents were working out-
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1999, 2 ),
ance.
side the home and the child was in
2001, and 2002.
TITLE I-ENCOURAGING QUALITY CHILD
daycare.
CARE
BEC. 103. ALLOWANCE OF CREDIT FOR
We also acknowledge that we cannot
PLOYER EXPENSES FOR CHILD CARE
Subtitle A-Dissemination of Information
ASSISTANCE.
solve the entire child care problem
About Quality Child Care
(a) IN GENERAL-Subpart D of part IV of
through the tax code alone. Many low-
Sec. 201. Collection and dissemination of in-
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal
income families do not have taxable in-
formation.
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business re-
come, and therefore cannot benefit
Sec. 202. Grants for the development of &
lated credits) is amended by adding at the
from a tax credit. The Child Care and
child care training infrastruc-
end the following:
Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
ture.
"SEC. 45D. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILD CARE
provides critical funding to help these
Sec. 203. Authorization of appropriations.
CREDIT.
lower-income families-and have been
Subtitle B-Increased Enforcement of State
"(a) ALLOWANCE OF CREDIT.-For purposes
a strong supporter of the program. Rec-
Health and Safety Standards
of section 38, the employer-provided child
ognizing the critical role CCDBG plays
Sec. 211. Enforcement of State health and
care credit determined under this section for
in subsidizing daycare for low-income
safety standards.
the taxable year is an amount equal to 20
families in the states, our proposal
Subtitle C-Removal of Barriers to
percent of the qualified child care expendi-
doubles the block grant over a five-
Increasing the Supply of Quality Child Care
tures of the taxpayer for such taxable 3
year period.
Sec. 221. Increased authorization of appro-
"(b) DOLLAR LIMITATION.-The credit al-
Of course, the problem with child
priations for the Child Care and
lowable under subsection (a) for any taxable
care is not limited to just afford-
Development Block Grant Act.
year shall not exceed $100,000.
Sec. 222. Small business child care grant
"(c) DEFINTTIONS.-For purposes of this sec-
ability. Many parents cannot find an
tion-
available child care slot. Our proposal
program.
Sec. 223. GAO report regarding the relation-
"(1) QUALIFIED CHILD CARE EXPENDITURE-
addresses this issue of accessibility by
ship between legal liability con-
"(A) IN GENERAL.-The term 'qualified
providing a tax credit to businesses to
cerns and the availability and
child care expenditure' means any amount
build or renovate on or near-site child
affordability of child care.
paid or incurred-
care centers for their employees.
Subtitle D-Quality Child Care Through
"(1) to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or
Finally, there is the issue of quality
expand property-
Federal Facilities and Programs
daycare. Parents cannot be productive
"(I) which is to be used as part of a quali-
Sec. 231. Providing quality child care in
fied child care facility of the taxpayer,
in the workplace if they are constantly
Federal facilities.
"(II) with respect to which a deduction for
worrying about the health and safety
TITLE I-TAX RELIEF TO INCREASE CHILD
depreciation (or amortization in lieu of de-
of their children in daycare. We have
CARE AFFORDABILITY
preciation) is allowable, and
all read the horrifying stories in the
SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF DEPENDENT CARE TAX
"(III) which does not constitute part of the
newspapers about daycare facilities
CREDIT.
principal residence (within the meaning of
that are unsafe or unsanitary, about
(a) PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED
section 1034) of the taxpayer or any employee
the poor record of enforcement of
EXPENSES DETERMINED BY TAXPAYER STA-
of the taxpayer;
standards in many states.
TUS.-Section 21(a)(2) of the Internal Reve-
"(11) for the operating costs of a qualified
while we acknowledge that the fed-
nue Code of 1986 (defining applicable percent-
child care facility of the taxpayer, including
eral government should not be setting
age) is amended to read as follows:
costs related to the training of employees,
standards for daycare providers, we do
"(2) APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE DEFINED.-For
"(iii) under a contract with a qualified
believe the states should set at least
purposes of paragraph (1). the term applica-
child care facility to provide child care serv-
minimum health and safety standards
ble percentage' means 50 percent reduced
ices to employees of the taxpayer, or
(but not below zero) by 1 percentage point
"(iv) under a contract to provide child care
and enforce them rigorously. Our legis-
for each $1,500, or fraction thereof, by which
resource and referral services to employees
lation beefs up this enforcement by re-
the taxpayers's adjusted gross income for the
of the taxpayer.
warding states with a good enforce-
taxable year exceeds $30,000."
"(2) EXCLUSION FOR AMOUNTS FUNDED BY
ment record and penalizing those with
(b) MINIMUM CREDIT ALLOWED FOR STAY-AT-
GRANTS, ETC.-The term 'qualified child care
poor records.
HOME PARENTS.-Section 21(e) of the Internal
expenditure' shall not include any amount to
I am very proud of this legislation,
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to special
the extent such amount is funded by any
and proud that this group was able to
rules) is amended by adding at the end the
grant, contract, or otherwise by another per-
come together and produce this initia-
following:
son (or any governmental entity).
"(11) MINIMUM CREDIT ALLOWED FOR STAY-
"(3) QUALIFIED CHILD CARE FACILITY.-
tive. Child care is a problem that must
AT-HOME PARENTS.-Notwithstanding sub-
"(A) IN GENERAL-The term "qualified
be solved, and we are committed to
section (d), in the case of any taxpayer with
child care facility' means a facility-
doing that. I look forward to working
one or more qualifying individuals described
"(1) the principal use of which is to provide
with the President and my colleagues
in subsection (b)(1)(A) under the age of 4 at
child care assistance, and
in the Congress to find workable, af-
any time during the taxable year, such tax-
"(11) which meets the requirements of all
fordable solutions for all families.
payer shall be deamed to have employment-
applicable laws and regulations of the State
Mr. President. I ask unanimous con-
related expenses with respect to such quali-
or local government in which it is located.
sent that the text of the bill be printed
fying individuals in an amount equal to the
including, but not limited to, the licensing of
in the RECORD.
greater of-
the facility as a child care facility.
There being no objection, the bill was
"(A) the amount of employment-related
Clause (1) shall not apply to a facility which
ordered to be printed in the RECORD. as
expenses incurred for such qualifying indi-
is the principal residence (within the mean-
viduals for the taxable year (determined
ing of section 1034) of the operator of the fa-
follows:
under this section without regard to this
cility.
8. 1577
paragraph), or
"(B) SPECIAL RULES WITH RESPECT TO A TAX-
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
"(B) $150 for each month in such taxable
PAYER-A facility shall not be treated as 8
resentatives of the United States of America in
year during which such qualifying individual
qualified child care facility with respect to &
Congress assembled,
is under the age of 4.".
taxpayer unless-
January 28, 1998
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
S117
"(1) enrollment in the facility is open to
any credit under subpart A. B, or D of this
(A) the provision of safe and healthful en-
employees of the taxpayer during the taxable
part.
vironments by child care providers; and
year,
"(C) No RECAPTURE BY REASON OF CASUALTY
(B) the evaluation of child care providers
"(11) the facility is not the principal trade
LOSS.-The increase in tax under this sub-
by parents; and
or business of the taxpayer unless at least 30
section shall not apply to a cessation of op-
(2) relevant findings in the field of early
percent of the enrollees of such facility are
eration of the facility as & qualified child
childhood learning and development.
dependents of employees of the taxpayer, and
care facility by reason of a casualty loss to
(b) INFORMATION AND FINDINGS To BE GEN-
"(111) the use of such facility (or the eligi-
the extent such loss is restored by recon-
ERALLY AVAILABLE-
bility to use such facility) does not discrimi-
struction or replacement within a reasonable
(1) SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITY.-T Sec-
nate in favor of employees of the taxpayer
period established by the Secretary.
retary of Health and Human Services shall
who are highly compensated employees
"(e) SPECIAL RULES.-For purposes of this
make the information and findings described
(within the meaning of section 414(q)).
section-
in subsection (a) generally available to
"(d) RECAPTURE OF ACQUISITION AND CON-
"(1) AGGREGATION RULES.-All persons
States, units of local governments. private
STRUCTION CREDIT.-
which are treated as a single employer under
nonprofit child care organisations (including
"(1) IN GENERAL-If. as of the close of any
subsections (a) and (b) of section 52 shall be
resource and referral agencies). employers,
taxable year, there is a recapture event with
treated as a single taxpayer.
child care providers. and parents.
respect to any qualified child care facility of
"(2) PASS-THRU IN THE CASE OF ESTATES AND
(2) DEFINITION OF GENERALLY AVAILABLE-
the taxpayer. then the tax of the taxpayer
TRUSTS.-Under regulations prescribed by
For purposes of paragraph (1). the term "gen-
under this chapter for such taxable year
the Secretary, rules similar to the rules of
erally available" means that the informa-
shall be increased by an amount equal to the
subsection (d) of section 52 shall apply.
tion and findings shall be distributed
product of-
"(3) ALLOCATION IN THE CASE OF PARTNER-
through resources that are used by. and
"(A) the applicable recapture percentage,
SHIPS.-In the case of partnerships, the cred-
available to, the public. including such ro-
and
it shall be allocated among partners under
sources as brochures, Internet web sites,
"(B) the aggregate decrease in the credits
regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
toll-free telephone information lines, and
allowed under section 38 for all prior taxable
"(f) No DOUBLE BENEFIT.-
public and private resource and referral or-
years which would have resulted if the quali-
"(1) REDUCTION IN BASIS.-For purposes of
ganisations.
fled child care expenditures of the taxpayer
this subtitle-
SEC. 202. GRANTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A
described in subsection (c)(1)(A) with respect
"(A) IN GENERAL.-If a credit is determined
CHILD CARE TRAINING INFRA-
STRUCTURE.
to such facility had been zero.
under this section with respect to any prop-
"(2) APPLICABLE RECAPTURE PERCENTAGE-
erty by reason of expenditures described in
(a) AUTHORITY TO AWARD GRANTS.-The
subsection (c)(1)(A), the basis of such prop-
Secretary of Health and Human Services
"(A) IN GENERAL.-For purposes of this sub-
erty shall be reduced by the amount of the
shall award grants to eligible entities to de-
section. the applicable recapture percentage
shall be determined from the following table:
credit so determined.
velop distance learning child care training
technology infrastructures and to develop
The applicable
"(B) CERTAIN DISPOSITIONS.-If during any
model technology-based training courses for
recapture
taxable year there is a recapture amount de-
child care providers and child care workers.
"If the recapture event
percentage is:
termined with respect to any property the
The Secretary shall. to the maximum extent
occurs in:
basis of which was reduced under subpara-
possible. ensure that grants for the develop-
Years 1-3
100
graph (A), the basis of such property (imme-
ment of distance learning child care training
Year 4
85
diately before the event resulting in such re-
technology infrastructures are awarded in
Year 5
70
capture) shall be increased by an amount
those regions of the United States with the
Year 6
55
equal to such recapture amount. For pur-
fewest training opportunities for child care
Year 7
40
poses of the preceding sentence, the term 're-
providers.
Year 8
25
capture amount' means any increase in tax
(b) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.-Tc be eli-
Years 9 and 10
10-
(or adjustment in carrybacks or carryovers)
gible to receive a grant under subsection (a),
Years 11 and thereafter
0.
determined under subsection (d).
an entity shall-
"(B) YEARS.-For purposes of subparagraph
"(2) OTHER DEDUCTIONS AND CREDITS.-No
(1) develop the technological and logistical
(A). year 1 shall begin on the first day of the
deduction or credit shall be allowed under
aspects of the infrastructure described in
taxable year in which the qualified child
any other provision of this chapter with re-
this section and have the capability of im-
care facility is placed in service by the tax-
spect to the amount of the credit determined
plementing and maintaining the infrastruo-
under this section.
ture;
payer.
"(3) RECAPTURE EVENT DEFINED.-For pur-
"(8) TERMINATION.-This section shall not
(2) to the maximum extent possible. de-
poses of this subsection, the term 'recapture
apply to taxable years beginning after De-
velop partnerships with secondary schools,
cember 31, 2003.".
event' means-
institutions of higher education, State and
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.-
"(A) CESSATION OF OPERATION.-The ces-
local government agencies, and private child
(1) Section 38(b) of the Internal Revenue
sation of the operation of the facility as a
care organizations for the purpose of sharing
Code of 1986 is amended-
qualified child care facility.
equipment, technical assistance, and other
"(B) CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP.-
(A) by striking out "plus" at the end of
technological resources, including-
paragraph (11).
"(1) IN GENERAL-Except as provided in
(A) sites from which individuals may ao-
(B) by striking out the period at the end of
clause (11). the disposition of a taxpayer's in-
cess the training.
paragraph (12). and inserting a comma and
(B) conversion of standard child care train-
terest in a qualified child care facility with
"plus". and
respect to which the credit described in sub-
ing courses to programs for distance learn-
(C) by adding at the end the following new
ing: and
section (a) was allowable.
paragraph:
"(11) AGREEMENT TO ASSUME RECAPTURE LI-
(C) ongoing networking among program
"(13) the employer-provided child care
participants; and
ABILITY.-Clause (1) shall not apply if the
credit determined under section 45D.".
(3) develop a mechanism for participants
person acquiring such interest in the facility
(2) The table of sections for subpart D of
to-
agrees in writing to assume the recapture 11-
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such
(A) evaluate the effectiveness of the infra-
ability of the person disposing of such inter-
Code is amended by adding at the and the
structure. including the availability and af-
est in effect immediately before such disposi-
following new item:
fordability of the infrastructure, and the
tion. In the event of such an assumption. the
"Sec. 45D. Employer-provided
training offered the infrastructure; and
person acquiring the interest in the facility
shall be treated as the taxpayer for purposes
child care credit.".
(B) make recommendations for improve-
of assessing any recapture liability (com-
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE-The amendments
ments to the infrastructure.
(c) APPLICATION.-To be eligible to receive
puted as if there had been no change in own-
made by this section shall apply to taxable
a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall
ership).
years beginning after December 31, 1998.
submit an application to the Secretary at
"(4) SPECIAL RULES.-
TITLE B-ENCOURAGING QUALITY CHILD CARE
such time and in such manner as the Sec-
"(A) TAX BENEFIT RULE.-The tax for the
Subtitle A-Dissemination of Information
retary may require, and that includes—
taxable year shall be increased under para-
About Quality Child Care
(1) a description of the partnership organi-
graph (1) only with respect to credits allowed
SEC. 201. COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF
sations through which the distance learning
by reason of this section which were used to
INFORMATION.
programs will be disseminated and made
reduce tax liability. In the case of credits
(a) COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION OF IN-
available;
not so used to reduce tax liability. the
FORMATION.-The Secretary of Health and
(2) the capacity of the infrastructure in
carryforwards and carrybacks under section
Human Services shall. directly or through a
terms of the number and type of distance
39 shall be appropriately adjusted.
contract awarded on & competitive basis to a
learning programs that will be made avail-
"(B) No CREDITS AGAINST TAX-Any in-
qualified entity. collect and disseminate-
able;
crease in tax under this subsection shall not
(1) information concerning health and safe-
(3) the expected number of individuals to
be treated as a tax imposed by this chapter
ty in various child care settings that would
participate, in the distance learning pro-
for purposes of determining the amount of
assist-
grams; and
S118
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
January 28, 1998
(4) such additional information as the Sec-
the amount appropriated for that fiscal year
(D) scholarships for low-income wage earn-
retary may require.
under section 658B.
ers;
(d) LIMITATION ON FEES.-No entity receiv-
"(B) DECREASED ALLOTMENT FOR FISCAL
(E) the provision of services to care for
ing a grant under this section may collect
YEARS 2000 AND 2001.-
sick children or to provide care to school
fees from an individual for participation in a
"(1) IN GENERAL-The allotment deter-
aged children:
distance learning child care training pro-
mined for a State under paragraph (1) for
(F) the entering into of contracts with
gram funded in whole or in part by this sec-
each of fiscal years 2000 and 2001 shall be de-
local resource and referral or local health de-
tion that exceed the pro rata share of the
creased by an amount equal to 10 percent of
partments;
amount expended by the entity to provide
such allotment for the fiscal year involved
(G) care for children with disabilities; or
materials for the training program and to
with respect to any State that, with respect
(H) assistance for any other activity deter-
develop. implement. and maintain the infra-
to the preceding fiscal year, had a percent-
mined appropriate by the State.
structure (minus the amount of the grant
age of completed child care provider inspec-
(2) APPLICATION.-To be eligible to receive
awarded by this section).
tions (as required to be reported under sec-
assistance from a State under this section. a
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in
tion 658E(c)(2)(G)) that was below the mini-
small business shall prepare and submit to
this section shall be construed as requiring a
mum inspection and enforcement percentage
the State an application at such time, in
child care provider to subscribe to or com-
specified under clause (11) for the fiscal year
such manner, and containing such informa-
plete a distance learning child care training
for which the allotment is to be paid.
tion as the State may require.
program made available by this section.
"(11) MINIMUM INSPECTION AND ENFORCE-
(3) PREFERENCE.-
SEC. 203. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
MENT PERCENTAGE.-FoT purposes of clause
(A) IN GENERAL-In providing assistance
There is authorized to be appropriated to
(1). the minimum inspection and enforce-
under this section. a State shall give priority
carry out this subtitle $50,000,000 for each of
ment percentage is-
to applicants that desire to form a consor-
fiscal years 1999 through 2003.
"(I) for fiscal year 2000, 50 percent: and
tium to provide child care in geographic
Subtitle B-Increased Enforcement of State
"(II) for fiscal year 2001, 75 percent.
areas within the State where such care is not
Health and Safety Standards
"(111) REQUIREMENT TO EXPEND STATE
generally available or accessible.
SEC. 211. ENFORCEMENT OF STATE HEALTH AND
FUNDS TO REPLACE REDUCTION.-If the allot-
(B) CONSORTIUM.-For purposes of subpara-
SAFETY STANDARDS.
ment determined for a State for a fiscal year
graph (A). a consortium shall be made up of
(a) IDENTIFICATION OF STATE INSPECTION
is reduced by reason of clause (1), the State
2 or more entities which may include busi-
RATE.-
shall. during the immediately succeeding ns-
nesses, nonprofit agencies or organizations,
(1) IN GENERAL-Section 658E(c)(2)(G) of
cal year, expend additional State funds
local governments. or other appropriate enti-
the Child Care and Development Block Grant
under the State plan funded under this sub-
ties.
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(2)(G)) is amended
chapter by an amount equal to the amount
(4) LIMITATION.-With respect to grant
by striking the period and inserting ". and
of such reduction.".
funds received under this section, a State
provide the percentage of completed child
Subtitle C-Removal of Barriers to
may not provide in excess of $100,000 in as-
care provider inspections that were required
Increasing the Supply of Quality Child Care
sistance from such funds to any single appli-
under State law for each of the 2 preceding
SEC. 221. INCREASED AUTHORIZATION OF AP-
cant.
fiscal years.".
PROPRIATIONS FOR THE CHILD
(e) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.-To be eligible
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.-The amendment
CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
to receive a grant under this section a State
GRANT ACT.
shall provide assurances to the Secretary
made by paragraph (1) applies to State plans
under the Child Care and Development Block
Section 658B of the Child Care and Devel-
that. with respect to the costs to be incurred
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) on
opment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
by an entity receiving assistance in carrying
9858) is amended to read as follows:
out activities under this section. the entity
and after September 1, 1998.
"SEC. 658B. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA
will make available (directly or through do-
(b) INCREASED OR DECREASED ALLOT-
TIONS.
nations from public or private entities) non-
MENTS.-Section 658O(b) of the Child Care
and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42
"There is authorized to be appropriated to
Federal contributions to such costs in an
amount equal to-
U.S.C. 9858m(b)) is amended-
carry out this subchapter-
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preced-
"(1) for each of fiscal years 1996 through
(1) for the first fiscal year in which the en-
ing subparagraph (A), by inserting ... subject
1998, $1,000,000,000;
tity receives such assistance. not less than 50
to paragraph (5)." after "shall": and
"(2) for fiscal year 1999, $1,500,000,000;
percent of such costs ($1 for each $1 of assist-
"(2) for fiscal year 2000, $1,750,000,000;
ance provided to the entity under the grant):
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(5) INCREASED OR DECREASED ALLOTMENT
"(2) for fiscal year 2001, $2,000,000,000;
(2) for the second fiscal year in which an
BASED ON STATE INSPECTION RATE.-
"(2) for fiscal year 2002, $2,250,000,000; and
entity receives such assistance. not less than
"(A) INCREASED ALLOTMENT FOR FISCAL
"(2) for fiscal year 2003, $2,500,000,000.".
66% percent of such costs ($2 for each $1 of
SEC. 222. SMALL BUSINESS CHILD CARE GRANT
assistance provided to the entity under the
YEARS 1989, 2000, AND 2001.-
PROGRAM.
grant); and
"(1) IN GENERAL-Subject to clause (111),
for fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001. the allot-
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.-The Secretary of
(3) for the third fiscal year in which an en-
Health and Human Services (in this section
tity receives such assistance, not less than 75
ment determined for a State under para-
graph (1) for each such fiscal year shall be in-,
referred to as the "Secretary") shall estab-
percent of such costs ($3 for each $1 of assist-
lish a program to award grants to States to
ance provided to the entity under the grant).
creased by an amount equal to 10 percent of
such allotment for the fiscal year involved
assist States in providing funds to encourage
(f) REQUIREMENTS OF PROVIDERS.-To be el-
the establishment and operation of employer
igible to receive assistance under a grant
with respect to any State-
"(I) that certifies to the Secretary that the
operated child care programs.
awarded under this section a child care pro-
(b) APPLICATION.-To be eligible to receive
vider shall comply with all applicable State
State has not reduced the scope of any State
a grant under this section. a State shall pre-
and local licensing and regulatory require-
child care health or safety standards or re-
pare and submit to the Secretary an applica-
ments and all applicable health and safety
quirements that were in effect in calendar
tion at such time, in such manner. and con-
standards in effect in the State.
year 1996; and
taining such information as the Secretary
(g) ADMINISTRATION.--
"(II) that, with respect to the preceding
may require, including an assurance that the
(1) STATE RESPONSIBILITY.-A State shall
fiscal year. had a percentage of completed
funds required under subsection (e) will be
have responsibility for administering the
child care provider inspections (as required
provided
grant awarded under this section and for
to be reported under section 65&E(c)(2)(G)),
(c) AMOUNT OF GRANT-The Secretary
monitoring entities that receive assistance
that equaled or exceeded the target inspec-
shall determine the amount of a grant to a
under such grant.
tion and enforcement percentage specified
State under this section based on the popu-
(2) AUDITS.-A State shall require each en-
under clause (11) for the fiscal year for which
lation of the State as compared to the popu-
tity receiving assistance under a grant
the allotment is to be paid.
lation of all States.
awarded under this section to conduct an an-
"(11) TARGET INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
(d) USE OF FUNDS.-
nual audit with respect to the activities of
PERCENTAGE.-For purposes of clause (1)(II).
(1) IN GENERAL-A State shall use amounts
the entity. Such audits shall be submitted to
the target inspection and enforcement per-
provided under a grant awarded under this
the State.
centage is-
section to provide assistance to small busi-
(3) MISUSE OF FUNDS.-
"(I) for fiscal year 1999, 75 percent;
nesses located in the State to enable the
(A) REPAYMENT.-If the State determines,
"(II) for fiscal year 2000, 80 percent; and
small businesses to establish and operate
through an audit or otherwise, that an en-
"(III) for fiscal year 2001. 100 percent.
child care programs. Such assistance may in-
tity receiving assistance under a grant
"(111) PRO RATA REDUCTIONS IF INSUFFICIENT
clude-
awarded under this section has misused the
APPROPRIATIONS.-The Secretary shall make
(A) technical assistance in the establish-
assistance, the State shall notify the Sec-
pro rata reductions in the percentage in-
ment of a child care program;
retary of the misuse. The Secretary. upon
crease otherwise required under clause (1) for
(B) assistance for the start up costs related
such a notification. may seek from such an
a State allotment for a fiscal year as nec-
to a child care program;
entity the repayment of an amount equal to
essary so that the aggregate of all the allot-
(C) assistance for the training of child care
the amount of any misused assistance plus
ments made under this section do not exceed
providers;
interest.
January 28, 1998
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
S119
(B) APPEALS PROCESS-The Secretary shall
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.-The term "Adminis-
(1) STATE AND LOCAL LICENSING REQUIRE-
by regulation provide for an appeals process
trator" means the Administrator of General
MENTS AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS.-The
with respect to repayments under this para-
Services.
Director of the Administrative Office of the
graph.
(2) EXECUTIVE AGENCY.-The term "Execd-
United States Courts shall issue regulations
(h) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.-
tive agency" has the meaning given the term
for entities operating child care centers in
(1) 2-YEAR STUDY.-
in section 106 of title 5, United States Code,
judicial facilities, which shall be the same as
(A) IN GENERAL-Not later than 2 years
but does not include the Department of De-
the regulations issued by the Administrator
after the date on which the Secretary first
fense.
under subsection (b)(1), except to the extent
provides grants under this section. the Sec-
(3) EXECUTIVE FACILITY.-The term "execu-
that the Director may determine. for good
retary shall conduct a study to determine-
tive facility" means a facility that is owned
cause shown and stated together with the
(1) the capacity of entities to meet the
or leased by an Executive agency.
regulations, that a modification of such reg-
child care needs of communities within a
(4) FEDERAL AGENCY.-The term "Federal
ulations would be more effective for the im-
State:
agency" means an Executive agency, a judi-
plementation of the requirements and stand-
(11) the kinds of partnerships that are being
clal office, or a legislative office.
ards described in such paragraphs.
formed with respect to child care at the local
(5) JUDICIAL FACILITY-The term "judicial
(2) EVALUATION AND ENFORCEMENT.-Sub-
level: and
facility" means a facility that is owned or
section (b)(2) shall apply to the Director de-
(111) who is using the programs funded
leased by a judicial office.
scribed in paragraph (1), entities operating
under this section and the income levels of
(6) JUDICIAL OFFICE.-The term "judicial of-
child care centers in judicial facilities, and
such individuals.
fice" means an entity of the judicial branch
judicial offices. For purposes of that applica-
(B) REPORT.-Not later than 28 months
of the Federal Government.
tion, references in subsection (b)(2) to regu-
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
(7) LEGISLATIVE FACILITY-The term "leg-
lations shall be considered to be references
Secretary shall prepare and submit to the
islative facility" means a facility that is
to regulations issued under this subsection.
appropriate committees of Congress a report
owned or leased by a legislative office.
(e) APPLICATION.-Notwithstanding any
on the results of the study conducted in ao-
(8) LEGISLATIVE OFFICE-The term "legis-
other provision of this section. if 3 or more
cordance with subparagraph (A).
lative office" means an entity of the legisla-
child care centers are operated in facilities
(2) 4-YEAR STUDY.-
tive branch of the Federal Government.
owned or leased by a Federal agency. the
(A) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 4 years.
(b) EXECUTIVE BRANCH STANDARDS AND EN-
head of the Federal agency may carry out
after the date on which the Secretary first
FORCEMENT.-
the responsibilities assigned to the Adminis-
provides grants under this section. the Sec-
(1) STATE AND LOCAL LICENSING REQUIRE-
trator under subsection (b)(2). the Architect
retary shall conduct a study to determine
MENTS.-
of the Capitol under subsection (c)(2), or the
the number of child care facilities funded
(A) IN GENERAL-The Administrator shall
Director described in subsection (d)(2) under
through entities that received assistance
issue regulations requiring any entity oper-
such subsection, as appropriate.
through a grant made under this section that
ating a child care center in an executive in-
Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President. I have
remain in operation and the extent to which
cility to comply with applicable State and
such facilities are meeting the child care
sought recognition to join my col-
local licensing requirements related to the
needs of the individuals served by such fa-
provision of child care.
leagues in introducing the "Caring for
cilities.
(B) COMPLIANCE.-The regulations shall re-
Children Act," which will ease the fl-
(B) REPORT.-Not later than 52 months
quire that, not later than 6 months after the
nancial burden of child care for Amer-
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
date of enactment of this Act-
ican families-for those parents who
Secretary shall prepare and submit to the
(1) the entity shall comply, or make sub-
work, and for those who choose to stay
appropriate committees of Congress a report
stantial progress (as determined by the Ad-
home to raise their children for a pe-
on the results of the study conducted in ao-
ministrator) toward complying. with the re-
riod of time. The sponsors of this legis-
cordance with subparagraph (A).
quirements; and
(1) DEFINITION.-As used in this section. the
lation recognize the importance of af-
(11) any contract for the operation of such
term "small business" means an employer
a child care center shall include a condition
fordable quality child care to the suc-
who employed an average of at least 2 but
that the child care be provided in accordance
cessful development of our children.
not more than 50 employees on business days
with the requirements.
Our bill would expand the Dependent
during the preceding calendar year.
(2) EVALUATION AND ENFORCEMENT-The
Care tax credit to make it more acces-
(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.-
Administrator shall evaluate the compliance
sible to families who need it, double
There is authorized to be appropriated to
of the entities described in paragraph (1)
the authorization for the Child Care
carry out this section. $60,000,000 for the pe-
with the regulations issued under that para-
Development Block Grant. and provide
riod of fiscal years 1999 through 2001. With
graph. The Administrator may conduct the
grants to small businesses to create or
respect to the total amount appropriated for
evaluation of such an entity directly, or
enhance child care facilities for their
such period in accordance with this sub-
through an agreement with another Federal
section. not more than $5,000,000 of that
agency. other than the Federal agency for
employees. This bill also includes pro-
amount may be used for expenditures related
which the entity is providing child care. If
visions from the proposal I introduced
to conducting evaluations required under,
the Administrator determines, on the basis
last year with my colleague, Congress-
and the administration of. this section.
of such an evaluation. that the entity is not
man Jon Fox, "The Affordable Child
(k) TERMINATION OF PROGRAM.-The pro-
in compliance with the regulations, the Ad-
Care Act," which provides a tax credit
gram established under subsection (a) shall
ministrator shall notify the Executive agen-
for employers who provide on-site or
terminate on September 30, 2002.
cy.
site-adjacent child care to their em-
SEC. 223. GAO REPORT REGARDING THE RELA
(c) LEGISLATIVE BRANCH STANDARDS AND
TIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGAL LIABIL-
ployees in order to reduce the child
ENFORCEMENT.-
ITY CONCERNS AND THE AVAILABIL-
(1) STATE AND LOCAL LICENSING REQUIRE-
care expenses of the employee.
ITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF CHILD
MENTS AND ACCREDITATION STANDARDS.-The
Not all families choose the same op-
CARE.
Architect of the Capitol shall issue regula-
tion for child care. Many families rely
Not later than 6 months after the date of
tions for entities operating child care cen-
on relatives, centers operated by
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Gen-
ters in legislative facilities. which shall be
churches and other religious organiza-
eral of the United States shall report to Con-
the same as the regulations issued by the
gress regarding whether and, if so, the extent
tions, centers at or near their work-
Administrator under subsection (b)(1). ex-
to which. concerns regarding potential legal
place, or make other arrangements to
cept to the extent that the Architect may
liability exposure inhibit the availability
provide care for their children while
determine, for good cause shown and stated
and affordability of child care. The report
together with the regulations, that a modi-
they work. In light of the diverse needs
shall include an assessment of whether such
fication of such regulations would be more
for child care in America. this bill rep-
concerns prevent-
effective for the implementation of the re-
resents a good start toward expanding
(1) employers from establishing on or near-
quirements and standards described in such
the choices for American parents. And,
site child care for their employees;
paragraphs.
any such legislation must recognize
(2) schools or community centers from al-
(2) EVALUATION AND ENFORCEMENT.-Sub-
lowing their facilities to be used for on-mite
that there is a need to provide some re-
child care; and
section (b)(2) shall apply to the Architect of
lief to families where one parent stays
(3) individuals from providing professional.
the Capitol. entities operating child care
at home.
licensed child care services in their homes.
centers in legislative facilities, and legisla-
The need for affordable and acces-
tive offices. For purposes of that application,
Subtitle D-Quality Child Care Through
references in subsection (b)(2) to regulations
sible day care is critical given the in-
Federal Facilities and Programs
shall be considered to be references to regu-
creasing numbers of working parents
BEC. 231. PROVIDING QUALITY CHILD CARE IN
lations issued under this subsection.
and dual-income families in the United
FEDERAL FACILITIES.
(d) JUDICIAL BRANCH STANDARDS AND EN-
States. According to the Bureau of the
(a) DEFINITION.-In this section:
FORCEMENT.-
Census, in 1975, 31 percent of married
S120
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
January 28, 1998
mothers with a child younger than age
gling to balance career and child rais-
Our bill increases the Dependent Care
one participated in the labor force. By
ing. I urge my colleagues to join me in
Tax Credit (DCTC) for working parents.
1995, that figure had risen to 59 percent.
cosponsoring this important legiala-
Our bill raises the maximum credit
Almost 64 percent of married mothers
tion. and I urge its swift adoption.
from 30 percent to 50 percent. And, it
and 53 percent of single mothers with
Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, eight
raises the maximum income level for
children younger than age six partici-
years ago, Congress passed and Presi-
the maximum credit from $10,000 to
pated in the labor force in 1995.
dent Bush signed the landmark Child
$30,000. No change is made in the maxi-
The cost of child care for families is
Care and Development Block Grant
mum allowable expenses of $2400 for
also significant. Licensed day care cen-
Act. I was proud to have helped lead
one child and $4800 for two or more
ters in some urban areas cost as much
the effort, and I am proud of what our
children.
as $200 per week, and the disparity in
states have been able to accomplish
Thus, a family in St. George, Utah,
costs and availability of child care be-
since its implementation.
earning $30,000, with two children,
tween urban and rural grows greater
But, it is also clear that we must do
would receive a tax credit of $2400.
every day. For families which need or
more to help families. In my home
Under current law, this family's credit
choose to have both parents work out-
state of Utah, more than half of the
would be $960.
side the home, the burden of making
children under age 6 have either their
Both our bill and the proposal made
child care decisions is great. These fig-
only parent or both parents in the
by the Clinton administration begin to
ures serve to underscore the need for
workforce.
gradually reduce the percentage of the
action on the part of the Federal gov-
The "Child Care Connection." a four-
credit at $30,000, but the "Caring for
ernment to provide the necessary as-
county resource and referral program.
Children Act" reduces the credit at a
sistance to our nation's working fami-
reported last year that there were five
slower rate. Thus, families earning be-
lies.
major Salt Lake area zip codes that
tween $30,000 and $75,000 will receive a
As Chairman of the Labor, Health
had zero openings for infants.
Utah child care officials have re-
bigger tax benefit than under either
and Human Services, and Education
Appropriations Subcommittee, I am
ported that there are too few slots gen-
President Clinton's proposal or current
law.
pleased that this legislation would
erally for infants and toddlers and for
We can afford to provide larger be
build on an existing federal child care
special needs children.
It is my pleasure to be here today
fits for this income group because we
program by authorizing an additional
with Senators CHAPEE. SNOWE, ROB-
have recommended a phase-out of the
$5 billion over five years to the Child
ERTS, and SPECTER, each of whom has a
credit entirely for families with in-
Care Development Block Grant pro-
long track record of involvement in
comes of $105,000 or more. Under car-
gram, bringing total spending for this
child care issues. We believe that we
rent law, there is no income limit for
program to $2.5 billion annually by
have developed a comprehensive, yet
eligibility for the DCTC. This is one
FY2002. The CCDBG program which
realistic, child care proposal that will
tax credit that wealthy taxpayers do
works well in assisting low-income
augment the ability of the child care
not need.
families acquire child care and helped
block grant to serve families in each
But, our bill, the "Caring for Chil-
over 93,000 Pennsylvania families last
state.
dren Act." goes one step further. The
year. By increasing the authorization,
Of particular note, this proposal rec-
bill I have developed along with Sen-
we can help even more families with-
ognizes the choice that many families
ators CHAFEE, SNOWE, ROBERTS, and
out creating a new entitlement pro-
make to have one parent remain at
SPECTER would. for the first time, rec-
gram.
home as primary caregiver. As impor-
ognize child care provided by a parent.
Our legislation will also require
tant as it is to assist low- and middle-
Our bill would extend eligibility for
States to create and enforce safety and
income families with necessary out-of-
the Dependent Care Tax Credit to fami-
health standards in child care facili-
home child care expenses-and our pro-
lies with young children in which one
ties, and provide money for the Depart-
posal will increase the Dependent Care
parent remains at home as caregiver.
ment of Health and Human Services to
Tax Credit for such families-it is also
How would this work? The bill would
disseminate information to parents and
important for us to realize the value of
impute monthly child care expenses of
providers about quality child care,
a parent in the home and that the sac-
$150 to families with children age 3 and
through brochures, toll-free hotlines,
rifice of a second income is also a child
under. For example, a family in Mor-
the Internet, and other technological
care expense.
gan, Utah, earning $30,000 a year and
assistance.
Additionally, our proposal will not
having one or more children under age
The "Caring for Children Act" com-
create major new programs in need of
3. would receive a $900 tax credit. It
plements my recent efforts to assist
permanent funding. We do not intend
works this way: 50% credit X $150
working families in the context of wel-
to spend federal dollars on bigger bu-
monthly imputed expenses X 12 months
fare reform and children's health insur-
reaucracy in the name of expanding
= $900.
ance. When Congress debated welfare
child care. We want available resources
I would like to see this tax break be
reform in 1995 and 1996, I worked to en-
to be put directly in the hands of par-
even more generous. I will work toward
sure that adequate funds were provided
ents through tax credits and in the
that end. But, given our budget reali-
for child care, a critical component for
hands of states to address specific gaps
ties, this ground-breaking extension of
welfare mothers who would be required
in availability and enforcement of
the DCTC is feasible. And. I believe it
to work to receive new limited welfare
health and safety standards.
is an essential component of the "Car-
benefits. I am pleased that the welfare
Our bill takes a very balanced ap-
ing for Children Act."
reform bill that became law provides
proach to the issues of affordability,
It is high time we recognize the value
$20 billion in child care funding over a
availability, and quality.
of stay-at-home parents. This tax cred-
six year period. Similarly, I was
Child care costs, of course, are a sig-
it in no way offsets their work or their
pleased to participate in the bipartisan
nificant part of a family budget. The
monetary sacrifices; but it does, at
effort in 1997 to enact legislation to
average cost of child care has been esti-
last, give a mother or father in the
provide $24 billion over the next five
mated at over $4000 per child. This is a
home standing in our tax code. It
years for States to establish or broaden
substantial increase from the $3000 av-
transforms the Dependent Care Tax
children's health insurance programs.
erage it was when we enacted the Child
Credit from an employment-based cred-
In conclusion, Mr. President, I be-
Care and Development Block Grant
it to a child-based credit.
lieve that it is critical that the 105th
eight years ago. Clearly, low- and mid-
These two changes to the DCTC will
Congress not adjourn without enacting
dle-income taxpayers devote & larger
put money-their own money I might
legislation to assist families in their
share of their earnings to child care.
add-back into the pockets of Ameri-
ability to afford safe, quality child care
And. at a time when we are trying to
ca's families.
for their children, either at home with
move families off of public assistance
The "Caring for Children Act" also
a parent or another arrangement. Our
and into employment, child care has to
deals with the issue of availability. As
legislation will provide peace of mind
be a key element of transitional sup-
I mentioned, there are areas where
to millions of American families strug-
port.
child care-particularly infant care,
January 28, 1998
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
S121
after school care, or care for special
automobiles, credit cards. and well-
Senators CHAPEE, SNOWE. ROBERTS. and
needs children-is tough to find. The
baby care are available. I believe par-
SPECTER. I urge other senators to join
substantial increase we are rec-
ents would welcome more information
us in this legislation.
ommending for the Child Care and De-
on what to look for in a child care cen-
Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I am
velopment Block Grant (CCDBG) will
ter or family-based care setting. I also
pleased and honored to join with my
provide states with the ability to ad-
believe that parents are the best form
colleagues to introduce legislation to
dress shortages as well as to increase
of accountability in child care. Second.
help meet the child care challenges fac-
support to low-income families.
to assist providers and child care work-
ing families around the nation. Our bill
President Clinton has recommended
ers enhance the quality of their serv-
is entitled the "Caring for Children
solving the availability problem by
ices, the bill would enable HHS to
Act."
creating two new programs, one for
award grants for the development of a
Child care, in the home when possible
after school care and one geared to
technology infrastructure for distance
and outside the home when both par-
early childhood. While I can appreciate
learning.
ents work, goes right to the heart of
the President's concern that there may
Many child care providers are in
keeping families strong. Unfortu-
be few choices out there for parents
rural areas. Traditional training in the
nately. finding quality, affordable child
who depend on out-of-home care, I do
form of workshops and college classes
care is one of the most pressing prob-
not believe it makes sense to create
are not practical. Programs for child
lems for families in Kansas and around
new programs when the CCDBG al-
care providers that could be developed
the country.
ready permits such programs. I think
and made available through distance
The "Caring for Children Act" takes
the answer is not to second guess how
learning. however, could prove a viable
the first steps to address this challenge
the states have chosen to allocate their
alternative as well as a valued help. My
through a responsible approach. This
scarce resources under the block grant,
home state of Utah, I might add, has
legislation expands child care opportu-
but rather to give the states some addi-
been a leader in the distance learning
nities without expanded government
tional resources so that they can bet-
arena. I have no doubt that such a for-
costs or intrusion in our lives. This leg-
ter meet their own priorities.
mat would be eagerly received in my
islation builds into the existing net-
We are proposing a $5 billion increase
state.
work without adding more government
in the CCDBG over five years. These
The "Caring for Children Act" con-
intervention or mandates. This legisla-
additional resources will give states
tains several other provisions of inter-
tion will help families that have two
much more flexibility in their plan-
est. In order to test the effectiveness of
working parents and families that have
ning. States will be able to provide sub-
small business consortia as employer-
a stay-at-home parent. This legislation
sidies for a greater number of the eligi-
based child care providers, the bill au-
will help to increase the supply of qual-
ble population; they will be able to fl-
thorizes $60 million over three years
ity of child care.
nance child care programs in under-
for demonstration grants.
First, in order to provide additional
To increase the awareness of the ex-
served areas of the state; they will be
tax relief and increase affordability of
able to address particular shortages.
isting Dependent Care Assistance Pro-
child care, we expand the Dependent
And. they will be able to better enforce
gram (DCAP), a tax provision that per-
Care Tax Credit (DCTC) by raising the
critical health and safety standards.
mits employees to authorize their em-
income level to $30,000 at which fami-
I am a firm believer that states
ployers to withhold up to $5000 of the
lies become eligible for the maximum
should be able to set their own rules
employee's salary in a DCAP account
tax credit. We also raise the maximum
and regulations for child care provid-
for child care expenses to be paid by
percentage of child care expenses that
ers. I do not believe that the federal
the employer. the "Caring for Children
parents can deduct to 50 percent. These
government can or should interfere
Act" authorizes $1 million a year for
changes make the DCTC more realistic
with child care affordability in our var-
the next five years to the Secretary of
for families that face increasing child
Labor to conduct outreach to both em-
ious states by setting national stand-
care costs.
ards that are unrealistic. Moreover, to
ployers and employees about this pro-
Increasing the income level and the
gram and its benefits.
the extent that child care standards re-
percentage of child care expenses that
Finally, the bill would require that
flect the values as well as the economic
are deductible will help families where
child care facilities located in federal
conditions of any given state, the fed-
both parents work. But, we also recog-
buildings for federal employees be held
eral government has no business micro-
nize that families who choose to have
to the same quality standards that
managing them.
apply to child care programs in the
one parent remain at home have child
But, I also believe that states that
state in which the federal facility is 1o-
care expenses as well. Therefore, we ex-
participate in the block grant pro-
cated.
tend eligibility for the DCTC to fami-
gram-and that would be all of them—
I believe the measure we have intro-
lies with a stay-at-home parent. This
have an obligation to ensure that chil-
duced is a balanced approach. It does
provides greater options to more fami-
dren are in safe and healthy environ-
not depend entirely on the tax code to
lies and leaves child care choices where
ments. And. they have an obligation to
address child care issues, nor does it
they should be-with the family. In
see that such standards are adequately
depend solely on federal spending.
order to target this credit to parents
enforced. A sanitary standard is no
It does not concentrate benefits on
who need it the most and meet our fis-
standard at all if it is unenforced.
only one income group. The DCTC ex-
cal responsibilities, the credit is
It may not matter where you have
pansion 18 geared particularly to assist
phased out for higher income wage
your car washed, but it absolutely mat-
the middle class. The increase in the
earners.
ters who is taking care of your child.
CCDBG is targeted to subsidies for low-
Small businesses play a critical role
Therefore, the "Caring for Children
income families.
in providing child care options to mil-
Act" puts some teeth into the require-
It recognizes that we have to make
lions of working parents. Unfortu-
ment for inspections under the block
an investment in our children, but it
nately, small businesses generally do
grant. A state that inspects a threshold
does not propose new federal manda-
not have the resources required to
number of facilities subject to inspec-
tory spending programs that can be-
start up and support a child care cen-
tion will be eligible for a 10 percent
come wildly expensive.
ter. The "Caring for Children Act" in-
bonus. After the second year, a state
Our bill gives careful attention to
cludes a short-term, flexible grant pro-
failing to inspect a minimum number
each of the three cornerstones of child
gram to encourage small businesses to
of child care sites will be subject to a
care: affordability. availability, and
work together to provide child care
10 percent penalty.
quality.
services for employees. This program is
Additionally, our bill authorizes $50
And, for the first time, federal child
more of a demonstration project that
million a year for HHS to undertake
care legislation will not ignore those
will sunset at the end of three years. In
two important quality enhancing ao-
families who choose to forego one in-
the meantime, small businesses will be
tivities. First, more information about
come to have a parent remain at home.
eligible for grants up to $100,000 for
child care can be made available to
I want to say again that I am proud
start-up costs, training. scholarships,
parents. Consumer information about
to sponsor this bill with my colleagues,
or other related activities. Businesses
S122
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
January 28, 1998
must continue to meet state quality
ready on waiting lists for federal child
number of innovative ways. By expand-
and health standards. Businesses will
care in-half a millioni Now, it is esti-
ing the Dependent Care Tax Credit, we
be required to match federal funds to
mated that, as welfare reform proceeds,
make it more affordable for parents to
encourage self-sustaining facilities
some 2 million parents across America
choose quality child care, but we also
well into the future.
will join the workforce and their chil-
leave the door open for a parent to stay
"Caring for Children" also includes
dren will require child care. A GAO re-
at home with their child. And we tar-
provisions to provide a tax credit of ex-
port from May of last year determined
get our tax benefits to those who
penses up to $500,000 for employers who
that in Chicago, for example, the
them most: working American fami-
choose to construct, renovate, or oper-
known supply of child care would only
lies.
ate on- or near-site child care facilities
meet 14 percent of the need for infant
For two-working parent families
for their employees, And, "Caring for
child care in the first year of welfare
with child care expenses, we raise the
Children" includes funding to promote
reform implementation. And within
income level at which parents can take
greater availability of the Dependent
three years, 3 out of 4 American women
the maximum credit from $10,000 to
Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for
with children under 5 will be working
$30,000, allowing more parents to take
families with children. This will allow
and in need of child care.
advantage of the maximum tax credit.
the Department of Labor to conduct
With the perspective of years spent
In addition, we raise the percentage of
outreach to businesses to promote
on this issue, I have come to the con-
child care expenses that parents can
awareness of the DCAP program.
clusion that what American parents
put toward their credit to 50% (up from
All children deserve quality care. Al-
need most are choices. The decision of
40% under current law) of expenses up
though all states have health and safe-
how to care for a young child is a deep-
to $2400 for one child, or $4800 for two
ty standards in place, many times
ly personal and difficult one. Many feel
or more children. The credit will phase
these regulations are not enforced.
handcuffed by economic concerns, oth-
down 1% for every $1500 of income
"Caring for Children" includes incen-
ers worry about the safety of child
above $30,000, phasing out completely
tives for states to improve their inspec-
care, but all face different cir-
for families earning over $105,000 per
tion efforts and ensure that facilities
cumstances that make the decision
year. Under this new scheme, the maxi-
are in compliance with their own state
mum tax credit will be $1200 for one
making process unique.
standards. The bill also authorizes
Given the tremendous challenges of
child (up from $720), or $2400 for two or
funding for the Department of Health
raising children today, and the extraor-
more children (up from $480).
and Human Services to get more infor-
For the first time, parents who forgo
dinary range of issues facing families, I
mation in the hands of parents and
an income to stay at home to take care
believe the federal government should
help child care providers access child
of a child between the ages of 0-3 will
not be in the business of encouraging
care training programs.
be able to take advantage of the De-
one choice over another. Instead the
Finally, we authorize additional
pendent Care Tax Credit. By attrib-
funding for the Child Care and Develop-
government's role must be to ensure
uting child care expenses to stay at
ment Block Grant. This program sends
that families have viable options and
home parents of $150 per month, they
that the basis for decisions is the best
federal assistance to states, permitting
will be eligible for a maximum tax
interests of the child. If we are to care
them to allocate resources where they
credit of up to $900 per year, depending
are most needed in the state. We main-
about children we must care about
on their income. Applying the tax cred-
tain maximum flexibility and allow
choices, and not politicize the issue
it to parents who wish to stay home for
states to make decisions about how to
with partisanship or ideology.
children ages 0-3 acknowledges that
address their own child care chal-
That is the spirit in which we crafted
parents of infants and toddlers often
lenges.
our bill. Because it is not about pitting
face the toughest decisions between
Child care is an issue that impacts
one group against another. It is not
working or staying at home. particu-
each and every one of us. While parents
about starting a "mommy war". It is
larly in light of recent research in the
continue to struggle to meet the con-
about helping parents do the best they
area of early childhood development
stant demand of work and family, we
can for their children-no matter what
which demonstrates that care from one
must continue to do our part to expand
choice they make.
or two consistent, loving and stimulat-
child care options and protect our na-
The reality is that, despite our best
ing caregivers during these earliest
tion's most valuable resource, our chil-
efforts to date to make quality, afford-
years is crucial to brain development.
dren. I look forward to working with
able child care accessible, the myriad
The Caring for Children Act will also
all of my colleagues in this important
pressures facing American families
help defray the considerable costs of
effort.
today still imperil their ability to pro-
child care for low-income families by
Ms. SNOWE. Thank you, Mr. Presi-
vide the best possible care for their
doubling funding for the Child Care and
dent, I am pleased to join with my col-
children. In my home state of Maine,
Development Block Grant, to the time
leagues, Senators HATCH, ROBERTS,
one out of every five Mainers are work-
of $5 billion. This will create more
SPECTER, and CHAFEE to introduce a
ing multiple jobs. Across the country,
child care slots for low-income families
bill that I believe is an historic oppor-
63 percent of women with children
and double the amount of money de-
tunity to help ensure the well-being of
under age six are in the workforce, and
voted to improving quality, again leav-
our children and by extension the very
as a result, over 12 million children are
ing more options for parents.
well-being of our nation: the Caring for
cared for by someone other than a par-
And we also address the issue safety,
Children Act.
ent during working hours. In Maine,
because parents are still rightfully con-
I come before you as a veteran on
there are 42,000 women in the labor
cerned about safety. According to a US
child care issues who has worked to ad-
force with children under 6, and 64,000
News and World Report article last Au-
dress child care throughout my politi-
with children between the ages of 6 and
gust, a query of all 50 states and the
cal life, and was the lead Republican
17.
District of Columbia revealed that 76
cosponsor on the Act for Better Child
At the same time. child care costs
children died in day care in 1996. The
Care in 1989-the bill which set the
can range from $4,000 to $9,000 annu-
causes included drownings, falls, and
stage for the bipartisan package that
ally-with families earning less than
being struck by automobiles. And these
was adopted by the 101st Congress.
$14,000 per year paying more than one
numbers are low because, shockingly,
Since that time we have advanced the
quarter of their income in child sup-
some states do not even track day care
ball in profound ways that reflect the
port. As a result, families are often
deaths. In terms of oversight. the US
changing nature of the American fam-
forced to make a choice between two
News report revealed that in Virginia,
ily. but our work must never cease
unacceptable options: find care for
for example, the state had failed to
when it comes to our children. We
their children that may not be safe or
make mandatory twice-a-year inspec-
must build on our laurels. not rest on
appropriate, or stay home and hope
tions of 722 of its 4,200 licensed facili-
them: and that is precisely what this
that they can somehow still put food
ties in 1996; 159 centers were not visited
bill does.
on the table.
even once.
Consider the challenge: In California
Our bill respects parents' decisions
No parents should have to fear for
alone in 1997, 500,000 children were al-
and expands the choices available in a
their child's safety-no parent should
January 28, 1998
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
S123
ever get that dreaded call that their
sponsors to this bill. Additionally, Rep-
I recognize that there have been a
child was hurt at day care. Bringing a
resentative SHAYS will be introducing a
few questions about this bill. There are
young child to day care in the morning
companion bill over in the House,
concerns disseminating CRS material
should not be an act of faith-it should
The Congressional Research Service
via the Internet will remove its protec-
be an act of confidence. While states
(CRS) has a well-known reputation for
tion under the Speech and Debate
have the responsibility to set health
producing high-quality reports and
Clause. At present, no court case 1
and safety standards, states need to be
issue briefs that are unbiased, concise,
directly addressed this issue. However,
held accountable for enforcing these
and accurate. Many of us have used
the Supreme Court acknowledged in its
standards by adhering to the inspec-
these CRS products to make decisions
concurrence to Doe versus McMillan
tion-schedule that they establish under
on a wide variety of legislative propos-
that a legislator's function in inform-
state law. Accordingly. our bill pro-
als and issues, including Amtrak, the
ing the public concerning matters be-
vides a 10 percent bonus in CCDBG
Endangered Species Act, the Line Item
fore Congress should be protected by
funding to states that meet targeted
Veto, and U.S. policy in Zambia. Also,
the Speech and Debate Clause, similar
inspection rates, while penalizing those
we routinely issue these products to
to communications which relate di-
by 10 percent that don't meet their ex-
our constituents in order to help them
rectly to the legislative process. Fur-
isting responsibility to ensure health
understand the important issues of our
thermore, my bill gives the CRS Direc-
and safety. This gives our bill "teeth"
time.
tor discretion to not release material
to ensure that child care is safe and
This fiscal year, the American tax-
that he determines is confidential. This
children are protected.
payer will pay $64.6 million to fund the
aspect of my bill has been upheld in
Finally, we encourage more Amer-
Congressional Research Service. News-
similar circumstances where the U.S.
ican businesses to become partners in
papers, such as the San Jose Mercury-
District Court maintained the con-
child care by offering then tax credits
News and the Austin American-States-
fidentiality of the underlying research
for child care operation, construction
man, and watchdog groups, such as the
used to create reports by Congressional
and renovation expenses up to $500,000.
Congressional Accountability Project,
support agencies. I am including in the
And recognizing that it is not always
have recently asked the Congress to
RECORD a letter by Mr. Stanley M.
feasible for small businesses to assist
allow the public access to CRS re-
Brand, a former General Counsel to the
with child care, we offer grants to
sources. The American people have
House of Representatives, who agrees
small employers to provide such care.
paid for these valuable resources and
that my legislation will not threaten
Businesses already have an incentive
have a right to see that their money is
CRS' protection under the Speech and
to provide child care in that parents
being well spent.
Debate Clause.
who are confident in their child care
Congress can also serve two impor-
I am also aware of potential copy-
arrangements are more reliable, pro-
tant functions by allowing public ac-
right concerns if the CRS information
ductive workers. These initiatives will
cess to this information. First, public
is made accessible to the public. For
not only create more slots and make
access to these CRS products will mark
example, CRS has informed me that it
child care more affordable for parents
an important milestone in opening up
does not have a copyright agreement
and businesses alike, but it will help
the federal government. Our constitu-
that will allow it to make the maps
literally bring care closer to more par-
ents will be able to see the research
used in CRS products available elec-
ents.
documents which influenced our deci-
tronically. I believe we can work out
In closing. let me emphasize that this
sions and understand the trade-offs and
an equitable solution to resolve any
bill is an investment in our nation's fu-
factors that we consider before a vote.
copyright concerns that would prevent
ture. It is a statement by the federal
This will give the public a more accu-
any CRS Report, Issue Brief, or Au-
government that there can be no great-
rate view of the Congressional deci-
thorization or Appropriations product
er cause-no more noble a purpose than
sion-making process to counter the
from being electronically disseminated
providing for our children. How a na-
prevailing cynical view of Members of
to the public.
tion raises its youth and the value it
Congress selling their votes to the
Another concern has been raised
places on giving children a chance to
highest campaign contributor.
Also, these CRS reports will serve an
about the 30 day delay between the re-
grow up safe, happy, and healthy
important role in informing the public.
lease of CRS material to Members of
speaks volumes to its greatness. This
Members of the public will be able to
Congress and their staff and its release
legislation won't make decisions easier
for parents but it will ensure that they
read these CRS products and receive a
to the public on the web site. This
have a full range of options available
concise, accurate summary of the
delay will make sure that CRS has car-
to them as they seek to do the very
issues that concern them. As elected
ried out its primary statutory duty of
best they can for their children. That's
representatives, we should do what we
informing Congress before releasing in-
why I'm proud to be here today and
can to promote an informed, educated
formation the public. Also, it will
public. The educated voter is best able
allow CRS to verify that its products
that's why I will work hard to ensure
the passage of the Caring for Children
to make decisions and petition us to do
are accurate and prepare them for pub-
the right things here.
lic release in order to protect CRS from
Act. Thank you.
The Internet provides an ideal way to
liability problems and the American
By Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr.
inform the public while not distracting
people from being misinformed.
COATS. Mr. FAIRCLOTH and Mr.
CRS from its primary mission to serve
I would like to stress that opening up
ASHCROFT):
Congress. The Director of CRS can sim-
these select CRS products to the public
S. 1578. A bill to make available on
ply post CRS products on a web site,
will in no way compete with existing
the Internet, for purposes of access and
and then voters can look up informa-
commercial information services. The
retrieval by the public. certain infor-
tion without any extra effort by CRS
public will have access to selected CRS
mation available through the Congres-
researchers. The public will not be al-
products that are currently available
sional Research Service web site; to
lowed to write responses or research re-
only to Members of Congress and their
the Committee on Rules and Adminis-
quests to CRS. so that valuable CRS
staff. I firmly believe that the federal
tration.
time will not be diverted from helping
government should not be involved in
CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
us to do our jobs. Confidential requests
competing with legitimate private in-
LEGISLATION
by Members of Congress will not be re-
dustry.
Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I would
leased to the public. It is my intent
This bill has received popular support
like to introduce a bill that will make
that CRS establish a separate web site
from across the country, and I am in-
Congressional Research Service Re-
that will serve the public without oth-
cluding in the RECORD a letter of sup-
ports, Issue Briefs, and Authorization
erwise causing CRS to do anything
port from many concerned industries
and Appropriations products available
drastically different from its current
and groups including America On-Line,
on a web site to the American people.
operations when it posts CRS products
IBM, Public Citizen, and the League of
Senator COATS. Senator FAIRCLOTH,
on the web site accessible to Members
Women Voters of the United States. I
and Senator ASHCROFT are original co-
of Congress.
hope that my colleagues will join them
01/28/98 13:19
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001
Summary of Caring for Children Act
to be Introduced by Senators Chafee; Hatch,
Snowe, Roberts, Specter and Collins
January 28, 1998
1.
Provide additional tax relief to families to increase the affordability of shild
care. and make it more feasible for a parent to stay At home to are for a child:
a) Amend the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) to -
i) raise the income level to $30,000 at which families become eligible for
the maximum tax credit.
ii) raise the maximum percentage that parents can deduct of their child care
expenses to 50 percent.
iii) reduce credit by 1% for each $1,500 carned over $30,000, phasing out
credit at $105,000.
b) Extend eligibility of DCTC to families with a stay-at-home parent by
presuming that'a stay-at-home parent has mlnimum child care expenses of
$150 per month; apply other rules as outlined in (a). This will apply to
stay-at-home parents with children age 3 of under.
Example: if one parent earns $30,000, and the other parent stays at
home for one year to care for the child, they would be eligible for the
following credit: (50%) X ($150/month) x (12 months) = $900.
c) Promote greater availability of the Dependent Care Assistance Program
(DCAP) for families with children by authorizing $1 million annually for four
years for the Department of Labor to conduct ourreach to businesses to promote
awareness of the DCAP program.
d) Provide 20% tax credit of expenses up to $500,000 for employers who
construct. renovate or operate on- or near-site facilities for child care for their
employees (for a maximum credit of $100,000).
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2.
Increase the Supply of Quality Child Care:
a) Authorize $50 million per year to increase parents' access to
information and to provide technological assistance to child care providers
and workers to improve the quality of child care. These funds could be
used by HHS for the following purposes:
i)
to collect and disseminate state-of-the art information on topics related to
child care health and safety, as well as early childhood development.
This information could be distributed through brochures, the Internet. a
toll-free information hotline, resource and referral organizations, etc.
ii) for grants to organizations to develop and operate a technology-based
child care training infrastructure to enable child care providers to receive
the training. education and support they need to improve the quality of
child care.
b) Require states to beef up Inspections and enforce existing state health and
safety standards through 2 carrot/stick approach. States that inspect a certain
percentage of the facilities they are required to inspect under state law would
receive a 10% boost in their Child Care and Development Block Grant
(CCDBG) funding. Starting in the second year. states that fall to meet a
minimum threshold level of inspections would receive a 10% penalty. according
to the following timetable:
Year To qualify for 10% bonus.
10% penalty would apply for
must have inspection rate of
states with inspection rates
at least:
under:
FY1999: 75%
--
FY2000: 80%
50%
FY2001: 100%
75 t
c) Double the authorization for the CCDBG (this would
amount to an additional $5 billion in discretionary funding over 5 years,
but would be phased in over time to keep pace with growing state
capacity).
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d) Encourage small businesses 8 develop child care programs for their
employees through the creation of small business child care grant program.
This demonstration project authorizes $60 million over 3 years in competitive
grants to be administered by the states.
c) Require federal child care facilities to comply with state health and
safety standards.
f) Commission a GAO study to determine the extent to which liability concerns
hinders the availability of child care. The report could examine whether fears
regarding potential liability exposure deter: employers from establishing on or
near-site child care for their employees; schools or community conters from
allowing their facilities to be used for on-site child care; and individuals from
providing child care services in their homes. The GAO would have 6 months
to report to Congress.
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NO. 104
D04
News From
SENATOR JOHN CHAFEE
RHODE ISLAND
505 DIRKSEN BUILDING
WASHINGTON D.C. 20510-3902 (202)224-2921
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nicholas J. Graham
Wednesday AM, January 28th, 1998
202/224-6167
CHAFEE: "CONGRESS MUST ENACT BIPARTISAN
CHILD CARE LEGISLATION THIS YEAR"
Senator, Other Lawmakers, Unveil 'Comprehensive,
Innovative and Balanced' Child Care Legislation
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator John H. Chafee, a senior member of the
Finance Committee and longtime advocate for affordable and quality day care
programs, joined other lawmakers at a press conference in the Capitol this morning to
unveil a comprehensive, balanced child care proposal that he said would have a
positive impact on millions of children and working parents if enacted.
Chafee said the new child care bill which he and others lawmakers crafted
will be a "comprehensive, responsible, balanced and pragmatic approach to a very
critical and timely problem facing parents every day of their lives"
"Last night in his State of the Union Address, the President issued a clear
challenge to Congress to draft and enact legislation to improve child care for working
parents across the nation," Chafee said. "I accept that challenge, and state
unequivocally that we are prepared to meet that challenge with the introduction of this
innovative, comprehensive child care initiative in the Senate today."
Chafee added that he believed there were many goals that the President has
outlined on child care that were commendable - such as early childhood development
programs, expanding Head Start, and increasing funding for the Child Care and
Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program - which Chafee helped author in 1989.
"There is no question that child care is a major challenge In the daily lives of
parents everywhere, in terms of both the affordability and availability of quality day
care. For most families in America today, child care is not an option, but a necessity.
For most working parents, child care is not a luxury, but a fact of everyday life.
Furthermore, action is needed now - more than ever before on child care - because we
cannot expect welfare reform to work well if we do not provide affordable, accessible
and quality day care to parents making the transition from welfare to work."
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"The current system is unfair to lower and middle income families where
one parent wants to stay at home with the children," Chafee continued. "Currently, the
tax code provides for a tax credit for families that place their children in someone else's
care, but no credit for a parent who stays home with his or her children. This isn't fair.
and it is certainly not a level playing field for many parents with children. We need to
find a balance that is fair for all families. The President's proposal does nothing to
address the concerns and financial needs of stay-at home parents who choose to care for
children. Our proposal does, and it sets the tone and tenor for the debate on child care."
"While the refrain is popular and often heard, it's simply not enough to say
that parents should stay at home and care for children, and call it 'family values'. We
must match our rhetoric with actions namely, financial incentives which encourage
parents who want to stay at home to care for children to be able to do $0. Our goal in
this bill is to remove the financial barriers that currently prevent parents from making
the choice to stay at home and care for children in their early, formative years."
"We also set an income limit on families who benefit from the Dependent
Care Tax Credit (DCTC). Under the current system, billionaire and Microsoft CEO Bill
Gates gets the same DCTC as a single mother earning $30,000, because everyone gets
some credit, regardless of income. Bill Gates doesn't need the assistance. Working
parents do. The President's proposal does not place any income restrictions on the
DCTC, and I believe it should."
Chafee said the most important and innovative portion of the child care bill
deals with offering tax incentives to parents who choose to stay at home to care for and
raise their children in their early years, as well as tax incentives to businesses that
provide on-site day care.
But he stressed that the second part of the new bill - addressing quality day
care - was equally necessary. Specifically, the quality component will: double funding
for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (an additional $5 billion over five
years); require states to accelerate and improve inspections and enforce existing state
health and safety standards; encourage the development of child care programs for
employees of small businesses through the creation of a small business child care grant
program.
As a senior member of the Finance Committee P which has jurisdiction over
tax policy - Chafee will be in a position to fight for tax Incentives for working and stay-at
home parents; tax credits for small businesses who construct or renovate on-site or
near-site day care facilities for workers; and other measures to improve day care.
The bill was Introduced by Chafee and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). Original
cosponsors are Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-MF), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Arien Specter
(R-PA), and Susan Collins (R-ME).
Editor's Note: An outline of the bill is attached (2 PP.)
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Z24 6331 TO 94565542
P.02.04
NEWS RELEASE
ORRIN HATCH
United States Senator for Utah
January 28, 1998
Contact: Paul Smith (202)224-9854
CHILD CARE
Eight years ago, Congress passed and President Bush signed the landmark Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act. I was proud to have helped lead the effort. and 1 am proud of what
our states have been able to accomplish since its implementation.
But, it is also clear that we must do more to help families. In my home state of Utah, more
than half of the children under age 6 have either their only parent or both parents in the workforce.
The "Child Care Connection," a four-county resource and referral program. reported last
year that there were five major Salt Lake zip codes that had zem openings for infants.
Utah child care officials have reported that there are too few slots generally for infants and
toddlers and for special needs children.
It is my pleasure to be here today with Senators Chafee. Snows. Roberts. and Specter.
each of whom has a long track record of involvement in child care issues. We believe that we have
developed a comprehensive. yet realistic. child care proposal that will augment the ability of the
child care block grant to serve families in each state.
of particular note, this proposal recognizes the choice that many families make to have one
parent remain at home as primary caregiver. AS Important as it is to assist low- and middle-income
families with necessary out-of-home child care expenses - and our proposal will increase the
Dependent Care Tax Credit for such famulies - it Is also important for us to realize the value of a
parent in the home and that the secrifice of a second income is also a child care expense.
Additionally, our proposal will not create major new programs in need of permanent
funding. We do not Intend to spend federal dollars on bigger bureaucracy in the name of
expanding child care. We want available resources to be put directly in the hands of parents
through tax oredits and in the hands of states to address specific gaps in availability and
enforcement of health and safety standards.
I am enthusiastic about the legislation we will be introducing and look Toward to working
toward its passage.
01/28/98
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SENATOR
our
Post-Ir Fax Nate
Wamestic 7571 Drang they Charges
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Holler
NEWS RE
Kenn
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a Product Dave Casha
OLYMPLA
Phone #
Sen.
THE
48667
456-2878
i
8-1071
U.S. Senator for Maine
>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: DAVE LACKEY
Wednesday, January 28, 1998
(202) 224-5344'
SNOWE TARGETS STAY-AT-HOME PARENTS
IN ROLLOUT OF NEW CHILD CARE INITIATIVE
Snowe introduces Carinx for Children Act with Senators Chafee, Hatch, Roberts, Specter
WASHINGTON, D.C. -U.S. Sensior Olympia J. Snows today joined a team of
converned Republican lawmskers at a Capitol Hill News Conference to introduce the Caring
for Children Act which strengthens federal child care programs, and for the first time
addresses the needs of parents who stay at home with their children.
"This bill represents a bold and innovative new approach that provides assistance not
only to those working parents struggling to afford quality child care, but to those parents who
decide to forego a second income and may at home TO care for young children," Snowe said.
"T" is not about pitting one group against snother, or starting & mommy war'. It is about
helping parents do the best they can for their children, DO matter what choice they make."
The Maine Senator, a leader in Congress for nearly two decades on child care issues.
made her comments as the legislation was unveiled at a Capitol Hill News Conference
Wednesday The legislation is the culmination of three months of work by Snowe and
Senntors John Chafee (R-R.I.), Ordh Harch R- Utah), Part Roberts (R-Kmn) and Arian Specter
(R-Pa) aimed at addressing the realities ther face parents today.
"Our bill respects parents' decisions and expands the choloes available in a number of
innovative ways. By expanding the Dependent Care Tax Credit, we make it more affordable
for parents to choose quality child care, but also leave the door open for a parent to stay at
home with their shild. And we varget our Tax benefits a those who need them most: working
families." Snowe said. "We provide what parents need most choloes."
"The decision of how B care for a young child is deeply personal and difficult Many
feel handcuffed by economic concerns. others worry about the sofety of child care, but all
face different afroumstances That smoke the decision-making process unique. The reality is
that, despite our best efforts to date to make quality, affordable child care accessible, the
myried pressures facing American families today still imperil their ability to provide the best
possible care for their children." Shows said, noting that 63% of women with children under
six are in the workforce, and one of every five Mainers works multiple jobs. "Millions or
families struggle with decisions over who should care for their young children," she said.
The Caring for Children Act will take steps to improve affordability and qualtry at
child care, and to increase the stake of the business community in providing child care to
employees. Notable provisions include:
Affordability - The Caring for Children Act doubles funding for the Child Care and
Development Block Grant from $5 to $10 billion. to make child care more affordable
for millions of low-income working families.
Fax credit The bill incruases the madium Dependent Care Tax Credit from 30% w
50% of child care costs to permit warking parents with child care expenses to take a
maximum tax credit of $1,200 for one child, OF $2,400 for TWO or more children. A
maximum tax credit of $900 would be available to parents who stay home for & your
to care for A child agod three or younger.
Business commitment The bill provides tax credity to businesses for whild care-roisted
start-up costs of up to $500.000, and provides grants to small employers for child care.
Liability The legislation commissions & study by the U.S. General Accounting Office
to determine if liability concerns are hindering the availability of child care.
Quality - To - that every child placed in child taxe has a healthy and safe
unvironment, the legislation takes A "can ot-and-ynck" approach that provides bonuses
to states that ment the turgeted inspection rate while penalizing those who lag far
below what is expected of them.
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UNITED STATES SENATOR MAINE
SUSAN COLLINS
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Felicia Enight
January 28, 1998
(202) 224 2523
SENATOR COLLINE IF ORIGINAL CO-SPONSOR FOR
GOP CHILD CARE BILL
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Susan Collins is co-sponsoring child care legislation that
is simed at helping not only working parents, bux also parants who choose to stay home. The
bill. introduced by Sensior John Chafce (R-Rhude Inhard), will increase the federal income tax
credit available to low and middle-income parents for child-care expenses. It also creates a
child-care program for small businesses to encourage theru to develop child care programs
for their employees.
"I'm happy to be an original co-sponsor of this bill." said Senator Collins, "becruse it
recognizes the child-care problems faced by all parents, not just those who work outside the
home." The child-care bill proposed by President Clinton does not allow a tax credit for parents
who stay at home, many of whom are sacrificing an Income while also incurring significant
child-care costs.
The Chafee bill raises the income level at which working pareents become eligible for the
maximum tax credit from $10,000 to 530.000. and raises the maximum percentage of child care
expenses which can be deducted form 30 to 50 percent.
The ball extends this benefit to stay-at-home parents with children age three and under,
by applying the SMITTO eligibility guidelines and assuming minimum child-care expenses of $150
par family.
"Wish this bill.- acid Senator Colline, "greater benefits will go to more Maine femilies in
with middle and lower incomes."
Sen. Olympia Snows (R-Mains) is also an original co-sponsor of the Chafee bill, along
with Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Son. Pat Roberts (R-Kansas), and Sea. Arien Specter R-
Pennsylvania).
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170 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING a WASHINGTON, DC 20310 a 202-224-2823 FAXI 202-224-3693
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Pat Roberts
UNITED STATES SENATOR KANSAS
CONTACT: Batry Holehen (202) 224-4774
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 1998
Roberts Holds Press Conference on Child Care Plan
"We need to protect our nation 's most valuable resource- our children"
WASHINGTON, DC- Kansas Senator Pat Roberts today will hold a press conference to unvell major
legislation expanding child care options for working Americans.
Roberts and R group of Republican Senators will outline the "Caring For Children Act" - scheduled
for Scoate introduction today at a 9:30 a.m. press conference in the Capitol's Senate Radio-TV Gallery (S-
325).
"We believe child care should be accessible, affordable and safe for all children," Roberts said. "Finding
quality, affordable child care is one of the most pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the
country."
The legislation includes expansion of the Dependent Care Tax Credit and incentives for small businesses
to provide added opportunity for child care for their employees. Those provisions were first proposed by
Roberts in a bill last year.
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Pat Roberts
UNITED STATES SENATOR KANSAS
CONTACT: Betsy Holahan (202) 224-4774
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 1998
Roberts' Child Care Plan Included in Senate Bill
WASHINGTON, DC- Key provisions of Kansas Senator Pat Roberts' plan to expand child care
options for working Americans are included in major legislation scheduled for Senate introduction.
The legislation being pushed by a group of Republican Senators includes expansion of the Dependent
Care Tax Credit and incentives for small businesses to provide added opportunity for child care for their
employees. Those provisions were first proposed by Senator Roberts in a bill last year.
"These provisions are the backbone of our legislation, which will be introduced within the next two
weeks," Roberts said. "They represent a common-sense approach to helping working parents find dependable
and affordable child CATE.
"Our goal is to expand child care opportunities without expanded government costs or intrusion in our
lives.
"Child care, in the home when possible and outside the home when both parents work, goes right to the
heart of keeping families strong. Unfortunately, finding quality, affordable child care is one of the most
pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the country. I intend to make this legislation the highest
priority."
The legislation allows families making $30,000 to take advantage of the child care tax credit. which
would be phased out for families with incomes over $105,000. Additionally, it would be expanded to cover
stay-ei-boms parents with children under age 6.
The legislation provides seed grants to small businesses and incentives for states to beef up health and
safety standards.
in Kensas, only 39 (37 percent) of 105 counties meet the national standard of 25 child care slots per 100
children under age 13.
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PAT ROBERTS
COMMITTEEN
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KANSAB
APPRED
to: WAST INSURANCE BULDERS
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THEIR
Hnited States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20514-1805
CARING FOR CHILDREN ACT
SENATOR PAT ROBERTS
January 28, 1998
I am pleased and honored to join with my colleagues to introduce legislation to help meet
the child Care challenges facing families around the nation. Our bill is entitled the "Caring for
Children Act."
Child care, in the home when possible and outside the home when both parents work.
LOCS right to the heart of keeping families strong. Unfortunately. finding quality, affordable child
care is one of the most pressing problems for families in Kansas and around the country.
The "Caring for Children Act" takes the first steps to address this challenge through a
responsible approach. This logislation expands child care oppurtunities without expanded
government costs or intrusion in our lives. This legislation builds into the existing network
without adding more government intervention or mandates. This legislation will help Ganities
that have twn working parents and families that have a stay-at-home parent. This legislation will
help to increase the supply of quality of child care.
First, in order to provide additional tax relief and increase affordability or child care, we
expand the Dependent Care Tax Credit (DCTC) by raising the income level to $30,000 ai which
families become eligible for the maximum tax credit. We also raise the maximum percentage of
child care expenses that parasts can deduct 3 50 percent. These changes make the DCTC more
realistic for families that face increasing child care costs.
Increasing the income level and the percentage of child care expenses that are deductible
will help families where both parents work. But, we also recognize that families who choose to
have one parent remain at home have child care expenses as well Therefore, we extend
eligibility for the DCTC to families with a stay-at-home parent. This provides grewter options to
more Emilies and leaves child care choices where they should be-with the family. In order to
target this credit to parents who need it the most and meet our fiscal responsibilities, the credit is
phased DUL for higher Income wage earners.
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Small busincases play a critical role in providing child care options to millions of
working parents. Unfortunately. small businesses generally do not have the resources required a
start up' and support a child care center. The "Caring for Children Act" includes a short-tenn,
flexible grant program to encourage small businesses to work together to provide child care
services for employees. This program is more of a demonstration project that will sunset at the
end of three years. In the meantime, small businesses will be eligible for grants up to $100,000
for start-up costs, training, scholarships. or other related activities. Businesses must continue lo
meet state quality and health standards. Businesses will be required to match federal funds to
encourage self-sustaining facilities well into the future.
"Caring for Children" also includes provisions 9 provide a tax oredit of expenses up to
$500,000 for employers who choose to construct, renovate, or operate од- or near-sire child care
facilities for their employees. And. "Carine for Children" includes funding a promote greater
availability of the Dependent Cure Assistance Program (DCAP) for families with children. This
will allow the Department of Labor to conduct outreach to businesses to promote awareness of
the DCAP program.
All children deserve quality care. Although all states have hoalth and safety standards in
place. many times these regulations are not enforced. "Caring for Children" includes incentives
for states to improve their inspection efforts and ensure that facilities are in compliance with their
own state standards. The bill also authorizes funding for the Department of Health and Human
Services to 841 more information in the hands of parents and help child care providers access
child care training programs.
Finally. we authorize additional funding for the Child Care and Development Block
Grant. This program sends federal assistance to states, permitting them to allocate resources
where they are most needed in the state. We maintain maximum flexibility and allow states to
make decisions about how to address their own child care challenges.
Child care is an issue that impacts each and every one of us. While parents continue to
struggle to meet the constant demand of work and family. we must continue to do our part to
expand child care options and protect our nation's most valuable resource, our children. 1 look
forward to working with all of my colleagues in this important effort.
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