News Release: FAMILY AND HOME NETWORK URGES SUPPORT OF AT-HOME INFANT CARE LEGISLATION October 2002

For more information, contact: Susan DeRitis 703-866-4164 media@FamilyAndHome.org

Fairfax, VA – In recent years At-Home Infant Care (AHIC) programs have spread from state to state, and now Congress may make some federal child care funds available for these programs. AHIC programs help certain low-income families provide care for their own infants and children by providing a stipend to a parent who leaves employment to stay home after the birth or adoption of a baby. Family and Home Network, the collective voice of thousands of parents nationwide, recently launched a new policy initiative in recognition of National Family Week: "Focus on At-Home Infant Care Programs" will raise awareness and promote initiation of more AHIC programs nationwide.

“Assistance and information provided to families by local, state and federal governments is very narrowly focused on finding, monitoring and paying for child care,” says Cathy Myers, executive director of Family and Home Network. “Parents need so much more information about the care of their children, including their needs for emotional nurturing. These critical needs are difficult to meet in most child care settings, and in most families parents are the ones best suited to provide that nurturing care. They should be informed, encouraged and supported in this vital work.”

According to Necessary Compromises, 2000, a report on public opinions about child care issued by the non-partisan polling organization Public Agenda, 70 percent of parents of children age 5 and under think the "best" arrangement for the care and development of young children is "one parent at home." Among these parents, 81 percent think children are "more likely to get the affection and attention they need" with an at-home parent. When asked what area public policies on families and work should focus on, 62 percent said "making it easier and more affordable for one parent to stay at home."

Until now, restrictions on the use of most federal childcare funds have barred states from applying this money to AHIC programs. Over the past few months, Congress has been working on a bill that would reauthorize federal Child Care and Development Block Grants. The Senate version of the bill would allow states to apply some of these funds to AHIC programs. In addition, the Senate Finance Committee has proposed funding for At-Home Infant Care demonstration grants in five to 10 states. If Congress authorizes funds for such programs, it is up to individual states to apply for funds and initiate programs.

“Knowing how important it is for parents to spend generous amounts of time with their children – and knowing what most parents want -- we commit ourselves to advocating for the initiation and growth of At-Home Infant Care Programs in every state in the U.S.,” says Cathy Myers. “We will help spread the word among parents at the grassroots level nationwide, and we will monitor states’ provision of information to parents.”

FAMILY AND HOME NETWORK PROMOTES AHIC PROGRAMS

Since 1984, Family and Home Network has offered support and encouragement to parents who forgo or cut back on paid employment to nurture their children. The group's main avenue of offering support is through its award-winning monthly journal, Welcome Home. Family and Home Network also serves as an advocate for all parents through public policy and media relations efforts, and provides parent-to-parent support, education and networking.

Through its new policy initiative, Family and Home Network has outlined the following efforts to promote AHIC programs:

mapping which states already have existing programs;

providing information to readers of the organization's monthly journal, Welcome Home, and others who wish to contact their state legislators to urge the initiation of new AHIC programs;

providing information to parents about the programs (including how to apply);

advocating for public information campaigns about the availability of these programs.

Family and Home Network invites volunteers to join in this nationwide grass-roots effort to support At-Home Infant Care programs.

Family and Home Network Our Vision: Universal recognition of the critical importance of parents' emotional engagement with their children; societal support for the need of parents and children to spend generous amounts of time together; profound respect for parents who make these commitments and acknowledgement of the short- and long-term benefits to society. Our Mission: Advocate for parents and children of all ages concerning their need for generous amounts of time together; Affirm the choice to be home through the many stages of parenthood to nurture children of all ages; Provide parent-to-parent support, education and networking; Correct society's misconceptions and refute stereotypes about parenting; Encourage respect for the contributions made by each parent, as couples share decisions regarding nurturing and providing for their families; Empower all parents to preserve and improve the opportunity to forgo or cut back on paid employment; and Educate society about the benefits of parents and children being emotionally engaged and spending generous amounts of time together.