United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-02-11 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-HEHS-94-99 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99 P0b002ee18038c431 f:the94099 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99 T-HEHS-94-99 Day care centers Child care programs Children State-administered programs Total quality management Monitoring Sanctions Standards evaluation Budget cuts Child Care and Development Block Grant TQM Testimony HEHS GAO questions the safety of child care being offered nationwide, both in terms of the physical environment--everything from working smoke detectors to properly stored food--and background checks for child care workers. Although the states are responsible for setting and enforcing quality standards, they are being challenged by the surge in demand for child care as well as by shrinking budgets. GAO found that 17 states did not conduct criminal background checks on child care center providers and 21 states did not conduct checks of family day care providers. Although Congress recently passed legislation to remedy this situation, it is too soon to know how much it will help. Welfare reform may also test states' ability to protect children. Recent proposals requiring welfare recipients to participate in training programs and find work within two years may increase the demand for child care, potentially further straining state enforcement resources. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99/html/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99.htm GAO/T-HEHS-94-99 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-94-99 Testimony GAO/T-HEHS-94-99; Child Care Quality: States' Difficulties Enforcing Standards Confront Welfare Reform Plans; Day care centers Child care programs Children State-administered programs Total quality management Monitoring Sanctions Standards evaluation Budget cuts Child Care and Development Block Grant TQM