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1994.05.11 : Child Care Assistance for Low-Income Families

Contact:  ACF                                     David Siegel 
Wednesday, May 11, 1994                           (202) 401-9215


      HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced the publication
of a proposed rule designed to help states develop a more cohesive
system of child care assistance for low-income families.  

     The proposed rule addresses regulatory provisions in four child
care programs funded by HHS, and it makes rules for the different
programs more consistent.

     Secretary Shalala said, "These regulations seek to create more
consistency in federal rules which have unnecessarily complicated
the management of these programs and prevented them from effectively
serving their customers."

     The four child care programs are the Child Care and Development
Block Grant, Aid to Families With Dependent Children Child Care,
Transitional Child Care and At-Risk Child Care.  The four programs
provide about $2 billion in federal support for child care this
fiscal year.  

     The principal beneficiaries of this support are recipients of
AFDC, former AFDC recipients, and other low-income parents who need
child care in order to work.  In addition, the programs serve
parents who are participating in education and training or
protective service activities.  

     Secretary Shalala made special note of one provision which
would strengthen immunization requirements for children who receive
child care assistance.  

     "This provision is an important adjunct to the president's new
immunization campaign," she said.  "It will give states the ability
to reach thousands of vulnerable preschool children and ensure they
receive the protection they need against contagious diseases."

      "Our goal is to facilitate efforts to provide reliable and
quality care and support to families," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant
secretary for children and families.  "These proposed changes
provide states with more flexibility to respond to the individual
needs of parents and their children and provide support to those who
go to work."  

     The department is seeking comments on these proposed rules over
the next 60 days.  Final rules are expected to be issued in the
fall.

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