[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4606-S4611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT ACT

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, no issue is more important in America than 
focusing on the urgent needs of young children. This country must 
rededicate itself to investing in children, an investment which will 
have tremendous returns. Early intervention can have a powerful effect 
on reducing government welfare, health, criminal justice, and education 
expenditures in the long run. By taking steps now we can significantly 
reduce later destructive behavior such as school dropout, drug use, and 
criminal acts. A study of the High/Scope Foundation's Perry Preschool 
found that at-risk toddlers who received preschooling and a weekly home 
visit reduced the risk that these children would grow up to become 
chronic lawbreakers by a startling 80 percent. The Syracuse University 
family development study showed that providing quality early childhood 
programs to families until children reached age 5 reduces the 
children's risk of delinquency 10 years later by 90 percent. It's no 
wonder that a recent survey of police chiefs found that 9 out of 10 
said that America could sharply reduce crime if government invested 
more in these early intervention programs.
  These programs are successful because children's experiences during 
their early years of life lay the foundation for their future 
development. Our failure to provide young children what they need 
during this period has long-term consequences and costs for America. 
Recent scientific evidence conclusively demonstrates that enhancing 
children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development 
will result in tremendous benefits for children, families, and our 
Nation. The electrical activity of brain cells actually changes the 
physical structure of the brain itself. Without a stimulating 
environment, the baby's brain suffers. At birth, a baby's brain 
contains 100 billion neurons, roughly as many nerve cells as there are 
stars in the Milky Way. But the wiring pattern between these neurons 
develops over time. Children who play very little or are rarely touched 
develop brains 20 to 30 percent smaller than normal for their age.
  Mr. President, reversing these problems later in life is far more 
difficult and costly. I want to discuss several examples.
  First, poverty seriously impairs young children's language 
development, math skills, IQ scores, and their later school completion. 
Poor young children also are at heightened risk of infant mortality, 
anemia, and stunted growth. Of the 12 million children under the age of 
3 in the United States today, 3 million--25 percent--live in poverty.
  Second, three out of five mothers with children younger than 3 work, 
but one study found that 40 percent of the facilities at child care 
centers serving infants provided care of such poor quality as to 
actually jeopardize children's health, safety, or development.
  Third, in more than half of the States, one out of every four 
children between 19 months and 3 years of age is not fully immunized 
against common childhood diseases. Children who are not immunized are 
more likely to contact preventable diseases, which can cause long-term 
harm.
  And fourth, children younger than 3 make up 27 percent of the 1 
million children who are determined to be abused or neglected each 
year. Of the 1,200 children who died from abuse and neglect in 1995, 85 
percent were younger than 5 and 45 percent were younger than 1.
  Unfortunately, Mr. President, our Government expenditure patterns are 
inverse to the most important early development period for human 
beings. Although we know that early investment can dramatically reduce 
later remedial and social costs, currently our Nation spends more than 
$35 billion over 5 years on Federal programs for at-risk or delinquent 
youth and child welfare programs.
  Today we seek to change our priorities and put children first. I am 
introducing the Early Childhood Development Act of 1997 to help empower 
local communities to provide essential interventions in the lives of 
our youngest at-risk children and their families. I am delighted that 
Senators Rockefeller, Murray, Kennedy, Hollings, Wellstone, Moseley-
Braun, and Harkin are joining me as cosponsors of this bill.
  This legislation seeks to provide support to families by minimizing 
Government bureaucracy and maximizing local initiatives. We would 
provide additional funding to communities to expand the thousands of 
successful efforts for at-risk children ages zero to six such as those 
sponsored by the United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other less well-
known grassroots organizations, as well as State initiatives such as 
Success By Six in Massachusetts and Vermont, the Parents as Teachers 
Program in Missouri, Healthy Families in Indiana, and the Early 
Childhood Initiative in Pittsburgh, PA. All are short on resources. And 
nowhere do we adequately meet demand although we know that many States 
and local communities deliver efficient, cost-effective, and necessary 
services. Extending the reach of these successful programs to millions 
of children currently underserved will increase our national well-being 
and ultimately save billions of dollars.
  The second part of this bill would provide funding to States to help 
them provide a subsidy to all working poor families to purchase quality 
child care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. We would not 
create a new program but would simply increase resources for the 
successful Child Care

[[Page S4607]]

and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Child care for infants and 
toddlers is much more expensive than for older children since a higher 
level of care is necessary. Additional funding would also pay for 
improving the salaries and training level of child care workers, 
improving the facilities of child care centers and family child care 
homes, and providing enriched developmentally appropriate educational 
opportunities.
  The bill would also establish a scholarship fund for child care 
workers who earn a degree in early childhood development and then work 
with infants and toddlers in child care settings for 2 years. Child 
care providers now are underpaid and frequently receive inadequate 
training, which causes higher turnover and lower quality care for 
children.
  The bill would also expand the uses of time allowed under the Family 
and Medical Leave Act [FMLA] to promote parental involvement in schools 
and child care centers. Parents or guardians would be allowed to use up 
to 24 hours per year of FMLA time to participate in school and center 
activities such as parent-teacher conferences, interviewing for a new 
school or child care center, and getting an assessment for services in 
a family literacy program. This leave would be within the maximum 12 
weeks of time currently allowed under the FMLA.
  Finally, the bill would increase funding for the Early Head Start 
Program. The successful Head Start Program provides quality services to 
4- and 5-year-olds. The Early Head Start Program, which currently is a 
modest program funded at $200 million annually, provides comprehensive 
child development and family support services to infants and toddlers. 
Expanding this program would help more young children receive the early 
assistance they need.
  I was delighted to be joined yesterday by Governor Dean of Vermont 
and Governor Romer of Colorado in announcing this legislation. I also 
am happy to have a wide range of groups and individuals endorsing this 
bill including the Association of Jewish Family and Children's 
Agencies, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Catholic Charities USA, 
Children's Defense Fund, Child Welfare League of America, Coalition on 
Human Needs, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, National Black Child 
Development Institute, Inc., National Center for the Early Childhood 
Work Force, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, 
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and Rob Reiner of the I Am 
Your Child Campaign.
  Children need certain supports during their early critical years if 
they are to thrive and grow to be contributing adults. I look forward 
to working with both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation and 
ensure that all children arrive at school ready to learn.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the full text of the bill 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 756

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Early 
     Childhood Development Act of 1997''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.

                 TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Allotments to States.
Sec. 103. Grants to local collaboratives.
Sec. 104. Supplement not supplant.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.

                   TITLE II--CHILD CARE FOR FAMILIES

Sec. 201. Amendment to Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
              1990.

            TITLE III--LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS

Sec. 301. Loan repayment for child care workers.

  TITLE IV--FULL FUNDING FOR THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM

Sec. 401. Full funding for the women, infants, and children program.

               TITLE V--AMENDMENTS TO THE HEAD START ACT

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 502. Allotment of funds.
Sec. 503. Effective date.

                   TITLE VI--SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT LEAVE

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. General requirements for leave.
Sec. 603. School involvement leave for civil service employees.
Sec. 604. Effective date.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings--
       (1) The Nation's highest priority should be to ensure that 
     children begin school ready to learn.
       (2) New scientific research shows that the electrical 
     activity of brain cells actually changes the physical 
     structure of the brain itself and that without a stimulating 
     environment, a baby's brain will suffer. At birth, a baby's 
     brain contains 100,000,000,000 neurons, roughly as many nerve 
     cells as there are stars in the Milky Way. But the wiring 
     pattern between these neurons develops over time. Children 
     who play very little or are rarely touched develop brains 
     that are 20 to 30 percent smaller than normal for their age.
       (3) This scientific evidence also conclusively demonstrates 
     that enhancing children's physical, social, emotional, and 
     intellectual development will result in tremendous benefits 
     for children, families, and our Nation.
       (4) Since more than 50 percent of the mothers of children 
     under the age of 3 now work outside of the home, our society 
     must change to provide new supports so young children receive 
     the attention and care that they need.
       (5) There are 12,000,000 children under the age of 3 in the 
     United States today and 1 in 4 lives in poverty.
       (6) Compared with most other industrialized countries, the 
     United States has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher 
     proportion of low-birth weight babies, and a smaller 
     proportion of babies immunized against childhood diseases.
       (7) National and local studies have found a strong link 
     between increased violence and crime among youth when there 
     is no early intervention.
       (8) The United States will spend more than $35,000,000,000 
     over the next 5 years on Federal programs for at-risk or 
     delinquent youth and child welfare programs, which address 
     crisis situations which frequently could be avoided or made 
     much less severe with good early interventions.
       (9) Many local communities across the country have 
     developed successful early childhood efforts and with 
     additional resources could expand and enhance opportunities 
     for young children.
                 TITLE I--ASSISTANCE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN

     SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' means the 
     poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and 
     Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 
     673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9902(2)) applicable to a family of the size involved.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services.
       (3) State board.--The term ``State board'' means a State 
     Early Learning Coordinating Board established under section 
     102(c).
       (4) Young child.--The term ``young child'' means an 
     individual who is under 6 years of age.
       (5) Young child assistance activities.--The term ``young 
     child assistance activities'' means the activities described 
     in section 103(b).

     SEC. 102. ALLOTMENTS TO STATES.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make allotments under 
     subsection (b) to eligible States to pay for the Federal 
     share of the cost of enabling the States to make grants to 
     local collaboratives under section 103 for young child 
     assistance activities.
       (b) Allotment.--
       (1) In general.--From the funds appropriated under section 
     105 for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each 
     eligible State an amount that bears the same relationship to 
     such funds as the total number of young children in poverty 
     in the State bears to the total number of young children in 
     poverty in all eligible States.
       (2) Young child in poverty.--In this subsection, the term 
     ``young child in poverty'' means an individual who--
       (A) is a young child; and
       (B) is a member of a family with an income below the 
     poverty line.
       (c) State Boards.--
       (1) In general.--In order for a State to be eligible to 
     obtain an allotment under this title, the Governor of the 
     State shall establish, or designate an entity to serve as, a 
     State Early Learning Coordinating Board, which shall receive 
     the allotment and make the grants described in section 103.
       (2) Established board.--A State board established under 
     paragraph (1) shall consist of the Governor and members 
     appointed by the Governor, including--
       (A) representatives of all State agencies primarily 
     providing services to young children in the State;
       (B) representatives of business in the State;
       (C) chief executive officers of political subdivisions in 
     the State;
       (D) parents of young children in the State;
       (E) officers of community organizations serving low-income 
     individuals, as defined by the Secretary, in the State;

[[Page S4608]]

       (F) representatives of State nonprofit organizations that 
     represent the interests of young children in poverty, as 
     defined in subsection (b), in the State; and
       (G) representatives of organizations providing services to 
     young children and the parents of young children, such as 
     organizations providing child care, carrying out Head Start 
     programs under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), 
     providing services through a family resource center, 
     providing home visits, or providing health care services, in 
     the State.
       (3) Designated board.--The Governor may designate an entity 
     to serve as the State board under paragraph (1) if the entity 
     includes the Governor and the members described in 
     subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (2).
       (d) Application.--To be eligible to receive an allotment 
     under this title, a State board shall annually submit an 
     application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
     At a minimum, the application shall contain--
       (1) sufficient information about the entity established or 
     designated under subsection (c) to serve as the State board 
     to enable the Secretary to determine whether the entity 
     complies with the requirements of such subsection;
       (2) a comprehensive State plan for carrying out young child 
     assistance activities;
       (3) an assurance that the State board will provide such 
     information as the Secretary shall by regulation require on 
     the amount of State and local public funds expended in the 
     State to provide services for young children; and
       (4) an assurance that the State board shall annually 
     compile and submit to the Secretary information from the 
     reports referred to in section 103(d)(2)(F)(iii) that 
     describes the results referred to in section 103(d)(2)(F)(i).
       (e) Federal Share.--
       (1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost described in 
     subsection (a) shall be--
       (A) 85 percent, in the case of a State for which the 
     Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 
     1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(b))) is 
     not less than 50 percent but is less than 60 percent;
       (B) 87.5 percent, in the case of a State for which such 
     percentage is not less than 60 percent but is less than 70 
     percent; and
       (C) 90 percent, in the case of any State not described in 
     subparagraph (A) or (B).
       (2) State share.--
       (A) In general.--The State shall contribute the remaining 
     share (referred to in this paragraph as the ``State share'') 
     of the cost described in subsection (a).
       (B) Form.--The State share of the cost shall be in cash.
       (C) Sources.--The State may provide for the State share of 
     the cost from State or local sources, or through donations 
     from private entities.
       (f) State Administrative Costs.--
       (1) In general.--A State may use not more than 5 percent of 
     the funds made available through an allotment made under this 
     title to pay for a portion, not to exceed 50 percent, of 
     State administrative costs related to carrying out this 
     title.
       (2) Waiver.--A State may apply to the Secretary for a 
     waiver of paragraph (1). The Secretary may grant the waiver 
     if the Secretary finds that unusual circumstances prevent the 
     State from complying with paragraph (1). A State that 
     receives such a waiver may use not more than 7.5 percent of 
     the funds made available through the allotment to pay for the 
     State administrative costs.
       (g) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor the activities 
     of States that receive allotments under this title to ensure 
     compliance with the requirements of this title, including 
     compliance with the State plans.
       (h) Enforcement.--If the Secretary determines that a State 
     that has received an allotment under this title is not 
     complying with a requirement of this title, the Secretary 
     may--
       (1) provide technical assistance to the State to improve 
     the ability of the State to comply with the requirement;
       (2) reduce, by not less than 5 percent, an allotment made 
     to the State under this section, for the second determination 
     of noncompliance;
       (3) reduce, by not less than 25 percent, an allotment made 
     to the State under this section, for the third determination 
     of noncompliance; or
       (4) revoke the eligibility of the State to receive 
     allotments under this section, for the fourth or subsequent 
     determination of noncompliance.

     SEC. 103. GRANTS TO LOCAL COLLABORATIVES.

       (a) In General.--A State board that receives an allotment 
     under section 102 shall use the funds made available through 
     the allotment, and the State contribution made under section 
     102(e)(2), to pay for the Federal and State shares of the 
     cost of making grants, on a competitive basis, to local 
     collaboratives to carry out young child assistance 
     activities.
       (b) Use of Funds.--A local collaborative that receives a 
     grant made under subsection (a) shall use the funds made 
     available through the grant to provide, in a community, 
     activities that consist of--
       (1) education and supportive services, such as--
       (A) home visits for parents of young children;
       (B) services provided through community-based family 
     resource centers for such parents;
       (C) drug treatment services for such parents; and
       (D) collaborative pre-school efforts that link parenting 
     education for such parents to early childhood learning 
     services for young children;
       (2) activities designed to strengthen the quality of child 
     care for young children and expand the supply of high quality 
     child care services for young children;
       (3) health care services for young children, including 
     increasing the level of immunization for young children in 
     the community, providing preventive health care screening and 
     education, and expanding health care services in schools, 
     child care facilities, clinics in public housing projects (as 
     defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 
     1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))), and mobile dental and vision 
     clinics;
       (4) services for children with disabilities who are young 
     children; and
       (5) activities designed to assist schools in providing 
     support to young children, and parents of young children, in 
     the community, to be carried out during extended hours when 
     appropriate.
       (c) Local Collaboratives.--To be eligible to receive a 
     grant under this section for a community, a local 
     collaborative shall demonstrate that the collaborative--
       (1) has the capacity to provide, through a coordinated 
     effort, young child assistance activities to young children, 
     and parents of young children, in the community; and
       (2) includes--
       (A) all public agencies primarily providing services to 
     young children in the community;
       (B) businesses in the community;
       (C) representatives of the local government for the county 
     or other political subdivision in which the community is 
     located;
       (D) parents of young children in the community;
       (E) officers of community organizations serving low-income 
     individuals, as defined by the Secretary, in the community;
       (F) community-based organizations providing services to 
     young children and the parents of young children, such as 
     organizations providing child care, carrying out Head Start 
     programs, or providing pre-kindergarten education, mental 
     health, or family support services; and
       (G) nonprofit organizations that serve the community and 
     that are described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of such Code.
       (d) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, a local collaborative shall submit an 
     application to the State board at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information as the State board may 
     require. At a minimum, the application shall contain--
       (1) sufficient information about the entity described in 
     subsection (c)(2) to enable the State board to determine 
     whether the entity complies with the requirements of such 
     subsection; and
       (2) a comprehensive plan for carrying out young child 
     assistance activities in the community, including information 
     indicating--
       (A) the young child assistance activities available in the 
     community, as of the date of submission of the plan, 
     including information on efforts to coordinate the 
     activities;
       (B) the unmet needs of young children, and parents of young 
     children, in the community for young child assistance 
     activities;
       (C) the manner in which funds made available through the 
     grant will be used--
       (i) to meet the needs, including expanding and 
     strengthening the activities described in subparagraph (A) 
     and establishing additional young child assistance 
     activities; and
       (ii) to improve results for young children in the 
     community;
       (D) how the local cooperative will use at least \3/4\ of 
     the funds made available through the grant to provide young 
     child assistance activities to young children and parents 
     described in subsection (e);
       (E) the comprehensive methods that the collaborative will 
     use to ensure that--
       (i) each entity carrying out young child assistance 
     activities through the collaborative will coordinate the 
     activities with such activities carried out by other entities 
     through the collaborative; and
       (ii) the local collaborative will coordinate the activities 
     of the local collaborative with--

       (I) other services provided to young children, and the 
     parents of young children, in the community; and
       (II) the activities of other local collaboratives serving 
     young children and families in the community, if any; and

       (F) the manner in which the collaborative will, at such 
     intervals as the State board may require, submit information 
     to the State board to enable the State board to carry out 
     monitoring under section 102(f), including the manner in 
     which the collaborative will--
       (i) evaluate the results achieved by the collaborative for 
     young children and parents of young children through 
     activities carried out through the grant;
       (ii) evaluate how services can be more effectively 
     delivered to young children and the parents of young 
     children; and
       (iii) prepare and submit to the State board annual reports 
     describing the results; and

[[Page S4609]]

       (3) an assurance that the local collaborative will comply 
     with the requirements of subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) of 
     paragraph (2), and subsection (f).
       (e) Distribution.--In making grants under this section, the 
     State board shall ensure that at least \3/4\ of the funds 
     made available through each grant are used to provide the 
     young child assistance activities to young children (and 
     parents of young children) who are members of a family with 
     an income below 133 percent of the poverty line.
       (f) Local Share.--
       (1) In general.--The local collaborative shall contribute a 
     percentage (referred to in this subsection as the ``local 
     share'') of the cost of carrying out the young child 
     assistance activities.
       (2) Percentage.--The Secretary shall by regulation specify 
     the percentage referred to in paragraph (1).
       (3) Form.--The local share of the cost shall be in cash.
       (4) Source.--The local collaborative shall provide for the 
     local share of the cost through donations from private 
     entities.
       (5) Waiver.--The State board may waive the requirement of 
     paragraph (1) for disadvantaged communities, as defined by 
     the Secretary.
       (g) Monitoring.--The State board shall monitor the 
     activities of local collaboratives that receive grants under 
     this title to ensure compliance with the requirements of this 
     title.

     SEC. 104. SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.

       Funds appropriated under this title shall be used to 
     supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local 
     public funds expended to provide services for young children.

     SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, $1,000,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 1999, $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, 
     $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and $4,000,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2002 and each subsequent fiscal year.
                   TITLE II--CHILD CARE FOR FAMILIES

     SEC. 201. AMENDMENT TO CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT 
                   ACT OF 1990.

       The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 is 
     amended by inserting after section 658C (42 U.S.C. 9858b) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 658C-1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ZERO TO SIX PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Payments.--Subject to the amount appropriated under 
     subsection (d), each State shall, for the purpose of 
     providing child care assistance on behalf of children under 6 
     years of age, receive payments under this section in 
     accordance with the formula described in section 658O.
       ``(2) Indian tribes.--The Secretary shall reserve 2 percent 
     of the amount appropriated to carry out this section in each 
     fiscal year for payments to Indian tribes and tribal 
     organizations.
       ``(3) Remainder.--Any amount appropriated for a fiscal year 
     under subsection (d), and remaining after the Secretary 
     awards grants under paragraph (1) and after the reservation 
     under paragraph (2), shall be used by the Secretary to make 
     additional grants to States based on the formula under 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(4) Reallotment.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any portion of the allotment under 
     paragraph (1) to a State that the Secretary determines is not 
     required by the State to carry out the activities described 
     in subsection (b), in the period for which the allotment is 
     made available, shall be reallotted by the Secretary to other 
     States in proportion to the original allotments to the other 
     States.
       ``(B) Limitations.--
       ``(i) Reduction.--The amount of any reallotment to which a 
     State is entitled to under subparagraph (A) shall be reduced 
     to the extent that it exceeds the amount that the Secretary 
     estimates will be used in the State to carry out the 
     activities described in subsection (b).
       ``(ii) Reallotments.--The amount of such reduction shall be 
     similarly reallotted among States for which no reduction in 
     an allotment or reallotment is required by this paragraph.
       ``(C) Indian tribes or tribal organizations.--Any portion 
     of a grant made to an Indian tribe or tribal organization 
     under paragraph (2) that the Secretary determines is not 
     being used in a manner consistent with subsection (b) in the 
     period for which the grant or contract is made available, 
     shall be allotted by the Secretary to other tribes or 
     organizations in accordance with their respective needs.
       ``(5) Availability.--Amounts received by a State under a 
     grant under this section shall be available for use by the 
     State during the fiscal year for which the funds are provided 
     and for the following 2 fiscal years.
       ``(b) Use of Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--Amounts received by a State under this 
     section shall be used to provide child care assistance, on a 
     sliding fee scale basis, on behalf of eligible children (as 
     determined under paragraph (2)) to enable the parents of such 
     children to secure high quality care for such children.
       ``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive child care 
     assistance from a State under this section, a child shall--
       ``(A) be under 6 years of age;
       ``(B) be residing with at least one parent who is employed 
     or enrolled in a school or training program or otherwise 
     requires child care as a preventive or protective service (as 
     determined under rules established by the Secretary); and
       ``(C) have a family income that is less than 85 percent of 
     the State median income for a family of the size involved.
       ``(3) Infant care set-aside.--A State shall set-aside 10 
     percent of the amounts received by the State under a grant 
     under subsection (a)(1) for a fiscal year for the 
     establishment of a program to establish new models of infant 
     and toddler care, including models for--
       ``(A) the development of family child care networks;
       ``(B) the training of child care providers for infant and 
     toddles care;
       ``(C) securing higher level of compensation for providers 
     of infant and toddler care; and
       ``(D) the support, renovation, and modernization of 
     facilities used for child care programs serving infants.
       ``(4) Poverty line.--As used in this subsection, the term 
     ``poverty line'' means the income official poverty line (as 
     defined by the Office of Management and Budget, and revised 
     annually in accordance with section 673(2) of the Omnibus 
     Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981) that is applicable to a 
     family of the size involved.
       ``(c) Levels of Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall promulgate 
     regulations to ensure that the levels of assistance provided 
     by States on behalf of eligible children under this section 
     are, subject to paragraph (2), adequate to provide parents 
     with the ability to select a high quality provider of care of 
     their child. Such regulations shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable--
       ``(A) ensure that States provide assistance in amounts that 
     provide at a minimum market rate for child care in the 
     communities involved;
       ``(B) permit States to adjust rates above the market rates 
     to ensure that families have access to high quality infant 
     and toddler care; and
       ``(C) encourage States to provide additional assistance on 
     behalf of children for enriched infant and toddler services.
       ``(2) Amount of assistance.--In providing assistance to 
     eligible children under this section, a State shall ensure 
     that an eligible child with a family income that is less than 
     100 percent of the poverty line for a family of the size 
     involved is eligible to receive 100 percent of the amount of 
     the assistance for which the child is eligible.
       ``(d) Appropriation.--For grants under this section, there 
     are appropriated--
       ``(1) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
       ``(2) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
       ``(3) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
       ``(4) $3,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
       ``(5) $4,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2002 and each fiscal 
     year thereafter.
       ``(e) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and 
     submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
     concerning--
       ``(1) the appropriate child to staff ratios for infants and 
     toddlers in child care settings, including child care centers 
     and family child care homes; and
       ``(2) other best practices for infant and toddler care.
       ``(f) Application of Other Requirements.--
       ``(1) State plan.--The State, as part of the State plan 
     submitted under section 658E(c), shall describe the 
     activities that the State intends to carry out using amounts 
     received under this section, including a description of the 
     levels of assistance to be provided.
       ``(2) Other requirements.--Amounts provided to a State 
     under this section shall be subject to the requirements and 
     limitations of this subchapter except that section 
     658E(c)(3), 658F, 658G, 658J, and 658O shall not apply.''.
            TITLE III--LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS

     SEC. 301. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.

       Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1070 et seq.) is amended by striking the heading for 
     subpart 7 and inserting after subpart 6 (20 U.S.C. 1070d-31 
     et seq.) the following:

           ``Subpart 7--Loan Repayment for Child Care Workers

     ``SEC. 420. LOAN REPAYMENT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.

       ``(a) Loan Repayment Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--From amounts appropriated under 
     subsection (f), the Secretary shall carry out a program of 
     assuming the obligation to repay a loan made, insured or 
     guaranteed under part B or part D (excluding loans made under 
     section 428A, 428B, or 428C) for any borrower who--
       ``(A) is awarded an associate degree, or a baccalaureate or 
     graduate degree, in early childhood development; and
       ``(B) is employed, for not less than 2 years, in a child 
     care facility serving low-income children who are primarily 
     age birth through 3.
       ``(2) Maximum amount.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     maximum amount of loans that may be repayed under this 
     section.
       ``(3) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue 
     such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this 
     section.
       ``(b) Loan Repayment.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to subsection (a)(3), the 
     Secretary shall assume the obligation to repay the total 
     amount of loans

[[Page S4610]]

     under part B or D (excluding a loan made under section 428A, 
     428B, or 428C) incurred by a borrower in pursuit of a 
     baccalaureate or graduate degree in early childhood 
     development.
       ``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
     construed to authorize the refunding of any repayment of a 
     loan made under part B or D.
       ``(3) Interest.--If a portion of a loan is repaid by the 
     Secretary under this section for any year, the proportionate 
     amount of interest on such loan which accrues for such year 
     shall be repaid by the Secretary.
       ``(c) Repayment to Eligible Lenders or Holders.--The 
     Secretary shall pay to each eligible lender or holder for 
     each fiscal year an amount equal to the aggregate amount of 
     loans which are subject to repayment pursuant to this section 
     for such year.
       ``(d) Application for Repayment.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan 
     repayment under this section shall submit a complete and 
     accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such 
     manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
     require. Loan repayment under this section shall be on a 
     first-come, first-served basis.
       ``(2) Conditions.--An eligible individual may apply for 
     repayment after completing the employment described in 
     subsection (a)(1)(B). The borrower shall receive forbearance 
     while engaged in the employment described in subsection 
     (a)(1)(B).
       ``(e) Definition.--For the purpose of this section the term 
     ``eligible lender'' has the meaning given the term in section 
     435(d).
       ``(f) Capped Entitlement.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated and there are appropriated $100,000,000 to carry 
     out this section for fiscal year 1998 and each succeeding 
     fiscal year.''.
  TITLE IV--FULL FUNDING FOR THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM

     SEC. 401. FULL FUNDING FOR THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
     1786) is amended--
       (1) in the second sentence of subsection (a)--
       (A) by striking ``authorized'' and inserting 
     ``established''; and
       (B) by striking ``, up to the authorization levels set 
     forth in subsection (g) of this section,'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``may'' and inserting ``shall''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``appropriated'' and 
     inserting ``made available'';
       (3) in subsection (g)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following 
     new paragraph:
       ``(1) Funding.--
       ``(A) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be--
       ``(i) appropriated to carry out this section such amounts 
     as are necessary for each of fiscal years 1997 through 2002; 
     and
       ``(ii) made available such amounts as are necessary for the 
     Secretary of the Treasury to fulfill the requirements of 
     subparagraph (B).
       ``(B) Appropriations.--
       ``(i) In general.--Out of any money in the Treasury not 
     otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
     provide to the Secretary of Agriculture, on the date of 
     enactment of the Early Childhood Development Act of 1997 for 
     fiscal year 1997, and October 1 of each fiscal year for each 
     fiscal year thereafter, to carry out this subsection--

       ``(I) for fiscal year 1997, an additional amount of 
     $1,500,000,000; and
       ``(II) for each fiscal year thereafter, an amount equal to 
     the total amount made available for fiscal year 1997 to carry 
     out this subsection (including the additional amount referred 
     to in subclause (I)), adjusted on October 1, 1998, and each 
     October 1 thereafter, to reflect changes in the Consumer 
     Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Bureau 
     of Labor Statistics for the 12-month period ending the 
     preceding June 30.

       ``(ii) Entitlement.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall be 
     entitled to receive the funds and shall accept the funds.'';
       (B) in the first sentence of paragraph (4), by striking 
     ``appropriated'' and inserting ``made available''; and
       (C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``appropriated'' and 
     inserting ``made available'';
       (4) in subsection (h)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``appropriated'' both 
     places it appears and inserting ``made available''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``appropriated'' both 
     places it appears and inserting ``made available''; and
       (B) in the first sentence of paragraph (2)(A), by striking 
     ``1998'' and inserting ``2002''; and
       (5) in subsection (l), by striking ``funds appropriated'' 
     and inserting ``funds made available''.
               TITLE V--AMENDMENTS TO THE HEAD START ACT

     SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 639(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834(a)) is 
     amended by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, $4,900,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, 
     $5,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $6,100,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2001, and $6,700,000,000 for fiscal year 2002''.

     SEC. 502. ALLOTMENT OF FUNDS.

       Section 640(a)(6) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
     9835(a)(6)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``1997, and'' and inserting ``1997,''; and
       (2) by inserting after ``1998,'' the following: ``6 percent 
     for fiscal year 1999, 7 percent for fiscal year 2000, 8 
     percent for fiscal year 2001, and 9 percent for fiscal year 
     2002,''.

     SEC. 503. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title and the amendments made by this title shall take 
     effect on October 1, 1997.
                   TITLE VI--SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT LEAVE

     SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Time for Schools Act of 
     1997''.

     SEC. 602. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LEAVE.

       (a) Entitlement to Leave.--Section 102(a) of the Family and 
     Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2612(a)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Entitlement to school involvement leave.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to section 103(f), an eligible 
     employee shall be entitled to a total of 24 hours of leave 
     during any 12-month period to participate in an activity of a 
     school of a son or daughter of the employee, such as a 
     parent-teacher conference or an interview for a school, or to 
     participate in literacy training under a family literacy 
     program.
       ``(B) Definitions.--In this paragraph:
       ``(i) Family literacy program.--The term `family literacy 
     program' means a program of services that are of sufficient 
     intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to 
     make sustainable changes in a family and that integrate all 
     of the following activities:

       ``(I) Interactive literacy activities between parents and 
     their sons and daughters.
       ``(II) Training for parents on how to be the primary 
     teacher for their sons and daughters and full partners in the 
     education of their sons and daughters.
       ``(III) Parent literacy training.
       ``(IV) An age-appropriate education program for sons and 
     daughters.

       ``(ii) Literacy.--The term `literacy', used with respect to 
     an individual, means the ability of the individual to speak, 
     read, and write English, and compute and solve problems, at 
     levels of proficiency necessary--

       ``(I) to function on the job, in the family of the 
     individual, and in society;
       ``(II) to achieve the goals of the individual; and
       ``(III) to develop the knowledge potential of the 
     individual.

       ``(iii) School.--The term `school' means an elementary 
     school or secondary school (as such terms are defined in 
     section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801)), a Head Start program assisted 
     under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and a 
     child care facility operated by a provider who meets the 
     applicable State or local government licensing, 
     certification, approval, or registration requirements, if 
     any.
       ``(4) Limitation.--No employee may take more than a total 
     of 12 workweeks of leave under paragraphs (1) and (3) during 
     any 12-month period.''.
       (b) Schedule.--Section 102(b)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
     2612(b)(1)) is amended by inserting after the second sentence 
     the following: ``Leave under subsection (a)(3) may be taken 
     intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule.''.
       (c) Substitution of Paid Leave.--Section 102(d)(2)(A) of 
     such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(d)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting 
     before the period the following: ``, or for leave provided 
     under subsection (a)(3) for any part of the 24-hour period of 
     such leave under such subsection''.
       (d) Notice.--Section 102(e) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(e)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Notice for school involvement leave.--In any case in 
     which the necessity for leave under subsection (a)(3) is 
     foreseeable, the employee shall provide the employer with not 
     less than 7 days' notice, before the date the leave is to 
     begin, of the employee's intention to take leave under such 
     subsection. If the necessity for the leave is not 
     foreseeable, the employee shall provide such notice as is 
     practicable.''.
       (e) Certification.--Section 103 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 
     2613) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) Certification for School Involvement Leave.--An 
     employer may require that a request for leave under section 
     102(a)(3) be supported by a certification issued at such time 
     and in such manner as the Secretary may by regulation 
     prescribe.''.

     SEC. 603. SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVICE 
                   EMPLOYEES.

       (a) Entitlement to Leave.--Section 6382(a) of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(3)(A) Subject to section 6383(f), an employee shall be 
     entitled to a total of 24 hours of leave during any 12-month 
     period to participate in an activity of a school of a son or 
     daughter of the employee, such as a parent-teacher conference 
     or an interview for a school, or to participate in literacy 
     training under a family literacy program.
       ``(B) In this paragraph:
       ``(i) The term `family literacy program' means a program of 
     services that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, 
     and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a 
     family and that integrate all of the following activities:
       ``(I) Interactive literacy activities between parents and 
     their sons and daughters.
       ``(II) Training for parents on how to be the primary 
     teacher for their sons and daughters

[[Page S4611]]

     and full partners in the education of their sons and 
     daughters.
       ``(III) Parent literacy training.
       ``(IV) An age-appropriate education program for sons and 
     daughters.
       ``(ii) The term `literacy', used with respect to an 
     individual, means the ability of the individual to speak, 
     read, and write English, and compute and solve problems, at 
     levels of proficiency necessary--
       ``(I) to function on the job, in the family of the 
     individual, and in society;
       ``(II) to achieve the goals of the individual; and
       ``(III) to develop the knowledge potential of the 
     individual.
       ``(iii) The term `school' means an elementary school or 
     secondary school (as such terms are defined in section 14101 
     of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 8801)), a Head Start program assisted under the Head 
     Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and a child care facility 
     operated by a provider who meets the applicable State or 
     local government licensing, certification, approval, or 
     registration requirements, if any.
       ``(4) No employee may take more than a total of 12 
     workweeks of leave under paragraphs (1) and (3) during any 
     12-month period.''.
       (b) Schedule.--Section 6382(b)(1) of such title is amended 
     by inserting after the second sentence the following: ``Leave 
     under subsection (a)(3) may be taken intermittently or on a 
     reduced leave schedule.''.
       (c) Substitution of Paid Leave.--Section 6382(d) of such 
     title is amended by inserting before ``, except'' the 
     following: ``, or for leave provided under subsection (a)(3) 
     any of the employee's accrued or accumulated annual leave 
     under subchapter I for any part of the 24-hour period of such 
     leave under such subsection''.
       (d) Notice.--Section 6382(e) of such title is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) In any case in which the necessity for leave under 
     subsection (a)(3) is foreseeable, the employee shall provide 
     the employing agency with not less than 7 days' notice, 
     before the date the leave is to begin, of the employee's 
     intention to take leave under such subsection. If the 
     necessity for the leave is not foreseeable, the employee 
     shall provide such notice as is practicable.''.
       (e) Certification.--Section 6383 of such title is amended 
     by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) An employing agency may require that a request for 
     leave under section 6382(a)(3) be supported by a 
     certification issued at such time and in such manner as the 
     Office of Personnel Management may by regulation 
     prescribe.''.

     SEC. 604. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This title takes effect 120 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

                          ____________________