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THE white HOUSE washington October 20, 1997 MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT FROM: BRUCE REED MELANNE VERVEER CC: THE FIRST LADY WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON CHILD CARE RE: October 23, you and the First Lady will host the White House Conference on Child in On the East Room. This memorandum outlines the purpose and structure of the conference, and Care the policy initiatives that we recommend you announce at the conference, and the process direction of our work on a larger child care proposal to unveil this winter. Purpose and Structure of the Conference White House Conference on Child Care has two purposes. First, it will call national The issue that political leaders and policy makers historically have ignored, attention notwithstanding to an its enormous importance to working families. Second, it will provide a basis from which to launch a significant child care proposal in the State of the Union. conference will address three critical child care challenges -- availability, The and safety and quality. Many parents choose to stay at home and care for their affordability, themselves. Yet millions of Americans, by choice or necessity, rely on child care and children after-school programs to care for their children for part of each day. The conference will to be explore both how the public and private sectors can respond to the need that Americans struggling good parents and good workers have for safe, affordable child care. Session. The morning session will begin with remarks by you and the child First and Morning will include a video of children, parents, caregivers and others talking America's about working care. Lady believe remarks should address the importance of child care for several new We families, note your past Administration accomplishments on this issue, and announce this winter. policy initiatives as well as a commitment to unveil a broader child care agenda 1