[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY, 
  AFFORDABILITY, AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL-BASED CHILD CARE PROGRAMS FOR 
                    CHILDREN AGED 0 THROUGH 6 YEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS H. ALLEN

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 1998

  Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing legislation which I 
developed with Representative Snyder of Arkansas. This bill aims to 
improve working families' access to affordable, reliable child care. 
The Education-Child Care Partnership Act earmarks funds within the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) for states to fund Local 
Education Agencies (LEAs) which choose to provide full-day, year-round 
school-based child care for children aged 0 to 6.
  The Education-Child Care Partnership Act develops a seamless system 
of early childhood education. Under this legislation, funds would be 
funneled through the states to LEAs to be used for (1) operation of a 
qualified school-based child care program, (2) hiring and training 
child care personnel, (3) construction, expansion, or rehabilitation of 
facilities for school based child care. Because child care is such a 
local concern, this bill gives the states and LEAs the maximum 
flexibility in how they choose to administer the grants made available 
under this program.
  The breakthroughs in research on brain development in the early years 
of a child's life strongly underscores the need for quality child care. 
Now is the time to focus our attention on education, and quality health 
and child care.
  Utilizing our existing resources, our schools, for child care can 
enhance the affordability, accessibility, and quality of child care. 
School-based care is an accessible alternative of child care as local 
schools are often community centers. For families with more than one 
child, transportation issues are made simpler if they can drop their 
children off at one place. Some school-based programs extend the use of 
school bus services to children participating in the child care 
programs. The programs that would be eligible under this legislation 
are full day, year round programs. This helps parents who often face 
child care difficulties during school vacations and summer breaks.
  School-based care programs are able to provide quality programs by 
utilizing existing resources at the schools such as art supplies, 
sports equipment, playgrounds, etc. Many collaborate with other 
community resources such as school employees and social service 
agencies to further enhance the quality of their programs. Many 
programs are eligible to participate with the USDA Child and Adult Food 
Program and/or allow parents to purchase school lunches and snacks for 
the children in child care.
  There are currently a number of school-based programs for before and 
after school care for school aged children. These programs should be 
supported and expanded. I believe that school-based care makes logical 
sense for both school-age children as well as preschool children.
  Recent research suggests that the first years of life are crucial for 
a child's emotional and intellectual development. As recently as 15 
years ago, neuroscientists assumed that brain structure was genetically 
determined at the time of birth. They did not recognize that a child's 
early years have a tremendous impact on the structure of his or her 
brain. Neuroscientists have found that throughout development, even 
prior to birth, the brain is affected by environmental conditions, such 
as nourishment, care, surroundings, and stimulation. The human brain is 
constructed to benefit from experience and quality teaching, 
particularly in the first years of life.
  Teachers and principals at Maine elementary schools tell me that in 
the last 5 years especially, but also for the last 10 or 15 years, they 
have seen a significant increase in 5 and 6 year old children with 
little or no capacity to play with other children or to participate in 
class. These kids lack the basic social skills that allow ordinary 
interaction with others. Consequently, they are extraordinarily 
difficult to teach. Many get their only real meals at school. Teachers 
and principals do not know how to deal with them. The explanation is 
always the same. They come from families where substance abuse is 
chronic, and neglect follows. If we miss early opportunities to promote 
healthy development and learning, later remediation may be more 
difficult and expensive.
  Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that as we debate education, health, 
and child care issues that we take into account the compelling evidence 
regarding early childhood development. I urge my colleagues to support 
the Education-Child Care Partnership Act in the months to come.

                          ____________________