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Child Care Updates - December 2001
Seasons Greetings to Everyone. This is our last Update for 2001 and closes our eighth year of sharing information on licensing related programs and services with individuals and organizations interested in child care. This has been an eventful year for the licensing program.
- We said good-bye to Dave Dodds, who left the Community Care Licensing Division to accept the position of Assistant Deputy Director for the Department's Children and Family Services Division.
- We restructured the Community Care Licensing Division from a regional, geographic structure to a program-based organization. Rather than reporting to four regional managers, all child care licensing staff now report to a single statewide child care program administrator.
- We implemented new policies and procedures that allow more flexibility for school-age child care without reducing health and safety standards.
- We made it faster and easier for licensees to access licensing forms by making them available on the Internet.
- The Caregiver Background Check Bureau installed a new telephone call router system in May of this year. The new system provides easier access to the Bureau's background check process for community care facilities and applicants. Callers can now reach the Bureau at (916) 274-6200.
2001 CHAPTERED LEGISLATION
Enclosed is a summary of legislation passed in 2001 that affects child care facilities. The summary includes our implementation plan for each bill. Unless otherwise noted, each bill will become effective January 1, 2002. If you have questions regarding the implementation of any of the legislation discussed, please contact Bill Jordan, Acting Program Administrator, at (916) 229-4500.
REGULATIONS IN PROCESS
The Department is currently developing regulations to implement the revised school-age policies and procedures that became effective June 1, 2001. The proposed regulations will implement changes without requiring approved waivers. For example, school age centers will be able to increase teacher-child ratios by 15 percent during transition periods, and use a buddy system for older children when they go to the restroom.
We expect these proposed regulations to be scheduled for public hearing in the summer of 2002. We will keep you informed on the status of these regulations in future Updates.
CBS COURT DECISION
In the October 2001 Update, I reported on the lawsuit filed by CBS Broadcasting, Inc., which sought disclosure under the Public Records Act of all persons with criminal convictions who received exemptions from 1995 to the present that allow them to work in licensed child care facilities. The Court of Appeal in the Second Appellate District issued a decision directing that CBS's request be granted. On December 21, 2001, we provided a list to CBS Broadcasting, Inc., which included the names of all persons who have been granted a criminal record exemption since January 1, 1995 and are still associated with a child care facility. The list provides the name of the person granted the exemption, facility name, county where the facility is located, and the date the exemption was granted. The Department cannot give information about the actual criminal conviction.
Similar lists will be provided upon request. Additionally, we expect parents or others to contact licensing offices to ask about a specific child care facility or a specific individual connected to a child care facility. Public release of information may only include the fact that the Department granted the person an exemption to be licensed, work at, live in, or be connected with a child care facility. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Linda Inglett, Policy Manager, at (916) 229-4500.
CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP
The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program that provides healthy meals and snacks to children in child care facilities. The program provides reimbursement for food and meal preparation costs, training on the nutritional needs of children and food safety, and on-site technical assistance. Eligible programs include public or private nonprofit child care centers, Head Start centers, after school programs, for-profit child care centers if 25 percent of their children are low-income, licensed family child care homes, and license-exempt/TrustLine homes.
Community Care Licensing and the California Department of Education, Child and Adult Care Food Program are collaborating to increase awareness about the benefits offered by the Food Program. Licensing staff will be distributing information regarding the Child and Adult Care Food Program to child care providers starting in the New Year. For information on the Child and Adult Care Food Program in your area, call Ed Mattson, Child Care Food Program at (925) 686-0522, or the Nutrition Services Division at (800) 952-5609.
FAMILY CHILD CARE AT ITS BEST
We are continuing to provide training to family child care home providers through the Family Child Care at Its Best series presented by U.C. Davis. Since the training was implemented in October 1998, I am pleased to report that over 1,800 sessions have been provided statewide to approximately 33,000 child care providers. Since March 1999, when the training was first offered in Spanish, over 500 Spanish speaking classes have been offered, with 10,800 providers in attendance. Classes in Spanish are in high demand, with 42 percent of the classes offered from July through September 2001 presented in Spanish. In addition, 23 classes have been provided in Cantonese or Mandarin to 360 providers.
A new module entitled "Tools and Tips for Improving Your Business" is now being offered, with a Spanish version available in January 2002. Another new module, "Prevention of Loss and Trauma in Young Children," will be piloted in spring 2002. For information about training sessions for any of the Family Child Care at Its Best classes, contact your Child Care Advocate or your local resource and referral agency. The class schedule is also posted on the Community Care Licensing Division website. If your organization would like to sponsor training in your area, please contact Diane Harkins, Project Manager, at (530) 757-8643.
CRIMINAL RECORD BACKGROUND CHECK INQUIRIES
The Caregiver Background Check Bureau Customer Service Section recently received a significant increase in calls and written inquiries regarding fingerprint and Child Abuse Central Index checks submitted to the Department of Justice since August 2001. We determined that the delay in processing these checks is largely due to an electronic interface problem between the Caregiver Background Check Bureau and the Department of Justice, and the recent caregiver background check systems conversion that affected some background checks during that period. We anticipate that these problems will be resolved before the end of December 2001. If you have questions regarding background checks, contact the Caregiver Background Check Customer Service Section at (916) 274-6200 or Christina Cervantes, Manager, Caregiver Background Check Customer Service Section, at (916) 274-6232.
CALIFORNIA CHILD CARE HEALTH PROGRAM
The California Child Care Health Program is a community-based organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of care for California's children. The mission of the program is to provide health and safety information to child care providers and to link the health, safety and child care communities. Visit their website to learn more about their program, services, and information, including child safety; injury, child abuse, child illness and disease prevention; nutrition, and children with special needs. Health and safety information is available in both English and Spanish. The California Child Care Health Program website is located at www.childcarehealth.org. You can also find a link on our website at http://ccld.ca.gov.
NEW FRESNO CHILD CARE REGIONAL OFFICE MANAGER
I am pleased to announce that effective December 3, 2001, Paula Kelesis, assumed the Regional Manager position of the Fresno Child Care Regional Office. Paula was a former manager in our Los Angeles and Orange County regional offices and has extensive licensing experience, working over 12 years with licensing. Please join me in welcoming Paula to her new position. Enclosed is a listing of all child care licensing offices and the areas they serve.
APPOINTMENT OF CENTRAL OPERATIONS BRANCH CHIEF
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Hiratsuka as the new Chief of the Central Operations Branch. This Branch is responsible for criminal record clearances and exemptions, the administrator certification program and facility audits. Jeff has 28 years in State service, 17 of which has been with the Department of Social Services in accounting and fiscal systems. Please join me in welcoming Jeff to his new position.
LICENSED CHILD CARE STATISTICSEnclosed are the most recent statistics on licensed child care facilities and capacities. Further breakouts by category and location are available. Your requests may be directed to Jeff Hiratsuka, Chief, Central Operations Branch, at (916) 322-4875.
SUMMARY
If you have questions about items included in this Update, or suggestions for future topics, please contact Bill Jordan (916) 229-4500 or me at (916) 657-2346. You may also visit our Internet website at http://ccld.ca.gov to obtain copies of licensing Updates, office locations, provider letters, regulations, or to learn more about licensing programs and services.
Best wishes to you and all in your organization for a wonderful Holiday Season and New Year.
Sincerely,
Original Signed by MARTHA LOPEZ
MARTHA LOPEZ
Deputy Director
Community Care Licensing