Public Policy Update:  At-Home Infant Care Legislation by Cathy Myers October 2002 Welcome Home

Three years ago this month, we reported on the At-Home Infant Care Program established by the state of Minnesota (initiated by state representative Richard “Doc” Mulder). This program offers certain lower-income parents of infants a choice between returning to work and using a state child care subsidy or staying home and receiving a monthly stipend. At the time we reported on this, a few other states were beginning to establish at-home infant care programs. Representative Mulder received an award in 2000 from the National Conference of State Legislators for his initiation of this program. He continues to try to improve on his state’s program, working to increase the number of eligible parents, the number of months the stipend is available, and to raise the amount of the stipend (to be closer to the amount the state would spend on child care).

Only a few states have now established at-home infant care programs, and their eligibility requirements vary. Until now, restrictions on the use of most federal child care funds have barred states from applying any of that money to AHIC programs. Over the past few months Congress has been working on the bill reauthorizing federal block grants for child care (Child Care and Development Block Grant--CCDBG). The Senate version of the bill (S.2758) 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 ten states. As we go to press, the bills are being debated. Please check our web site (Focus on Infant Care Program) for updates.

If Congress authorizes funding for AHIC programs, it is up to individual states to apply for these Federal funds and initiate programs. While the funding proposed by Congress is but a small part of the overall budget for child care assistance, we think it is a step in the right direction, and for some families it will make an enormous difference.

Recently, a mother from Minnesota called our offices in Virginia to find out about her state’s At-Home Infant Care Program. She had been unable to obtain information about it from her local agencies. When states initiate these programs, parents do not have the opportunity to participate if they don’t know they exist.

Family and Home Network is launching a new policy initiative this fall, “Focus on At-Home Infant Care Programs.” Our efforts will include:

• mapping which states already have existing programs;
  
• providing information to Welcome Home readers and others who wish to contact their state legislators to urge the initiation of programs;
  
• providing information to parents about the programs (and how to apply);
  
• advocating for public information campaigns about the availability of these programs.
  

We need volunteers from each state to help gather information and monitor these programs. Please help! See our web site for information about how to become part of our “At-Home Infant Care” team.

A few years ago, the non-partisan polling organization Public Agenda issued a report on public opinions about child care (Necessary Compromises, 2000). They found that among parents of children five or under, 70% think the “best” arrangement for the care and development of young children is “one parent at home.” And among these parents, 81% think children are “more likely to get the affection and attention they need” with an at-home parent. The parents were also asked about public policies:

“Do you think public policies on families and work should focus more on:

30% improving cost and quality of child care

62% making it easier and more affordable for one parent to stay at home

6% both equally [volunteered]

2% don’t know.”

For years, federal, state and local governments have provided funds for the dissemination of information to parents about caring for their children (often administered through a state or county Office for Children). The information provided is almost exclusively about how to find and monitor child care. These public agencies have not been directed to provide assistance to parents who want to care for their own children. FAHN wants to change this situation. We know there is much information that can help parents plan financially, emotionally and intellectually to cut back or forgo paid employment in order to care for their children. It includes:

• information from highly-respected pediatricians and child psychiatrists about children’s needs for ongoing nurturing relationships;
  
• analyses of affordability issues and information about some of the many ingenious ways parents arrange their lives to make at-home care a reality;
  
• referrals to nonprofit organizations (including FAHN) which can provide support, encouragement and information to parents who make the choice to provide at-home care for their children.
  

Public agencies for parents and children should provide information about the range of options for caring for children. FAHN has established relationships with many other nonprofits throughout the country (and around the world). We will work with them to establish new standards for the provision of information to help parents and children.