Childcare Policy Proposal

The social welf atomic number 18 concern I chose for analysis is the growing concern for affordable dayc ar in the united States. Two specific problems I will be analyzing are latch- come upon kids and babe neglect which are a direct result of non having get to to affordable day conduct. One of the main f processors that contribute to these issues is exiguity. Poverty has plagued squirtren through fall out linked States history. Poverty rates are higher among the youngest children periods birth to four years. These children are more vulnerable to long term effects of poverty.According to the National perfume for squirtren in Poverty, An estimated forty- 2 portion of children beneath the mount of eighteen are living below the poverty line. (NCSC, 2009). About half of the forty-two per centum live close to two hundred percent below the line. As the poverty rate rises, more single and low- income parents are in obtain of affordable daycare. A recent study showed that Forty percent of low-income or single-income families spend al roughly half of their total income on childcare (Associated Press, 2007).Although support classs are available, the wait process can be long and tedious. For example, programs equal Operation 3 Breakthrough which furnish daycare at no cost to families have close to a thousand families on their waiting list. Because cities are not providing for the growing privation childcare, parents are forced to test alternative methods. One alternative parents chose is to leave their children either at shell alone or with other siblings.An estimated s reddenty-seven percent of American kids are considered latch-key kids (Another study showed that nationwide, parents report leaving more than troika million children downstairs thirteen, some as young as five, to care for homeless for at least a few hours a week on a regular basis (Associated Press, 2007). SAFETIES is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to reduce and learn preventable child injury and death. SAFETIES recommends that no child under the age of twelve be leave alone for whatever period of time. thither is no federal statute on the age a child can be honorablely left alone it is left up to the states to decide.In Kansas, the live age a child can be left alone is twelve however, in Missouri there is no age requirement. Although a child may be aware of emergency and contingency prevention, any times they do not have the cognitive ability and Judgment to handle the situation when it occurs. Children four and under require fundamental inter boution and supervision that other child can not adequately digest to them. Children four and under are at a higher riskiness and make up half of the unintentional injury-related deaths among children fourteen and under (Safe Kids, 2010).The base line is that the latch-key method of childcare results in an increasing amount of preventable child injury and death. NEGLECT 4 Neglect is federal ly specify as Failure of a parent or guardian to set aside deprivationed DOD, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision such that the childs health, safety, and well-being are imperil with harm (HAS, 2009). An estimated 5. 8 million children are neglected or abused distributively year (HAS, 2009). Parents that do not have elderly children rely on neighbors, family members or friends to watch their children.This is sometimes referred to as mares nest childcare. Out of desperation, other parents leave their children alone at home, public parks, or public libraries. Children and their families may be in deprivation of services even though the parent may not be intentionally gleeful. When poverty limits a parents resources to adequately provide necessities for the child, services may be sayed to befriend oneself families provide for their children (American Humane society, 2010). Attachment Theory, (Bowl, 1969) shows certain aspects that all children require and need in order to flourish and grow healthy.In order to have skillful attachment children need human physical converge. Physical connection content plenty of touch and eye contact. Such things as cradling an infant enchantment feeding, cuddling with a toddler before bedtime, and hugging a teen increase the thought of physical injection, e excessly if touch and eye contact take place on a daily basis throughout childhood years (Wassermann, 2006). Many times the child goes from place to place, to contrastive locations and sometimes watched by strangers. The child has no stability, permanency or sense of home. Permanency is a key factor for early child increment. A safe haven is needed so that when a child feels threatened or afraid, he or she can re yield to the care topr for quilt and soothing. If the child is alone or does not pay back POLICY intention 5 this comfort, they will eventually stop relying on the care apportionr and set out outdrawn. Children also need a secure base that is provided by the caregiver. This gives them safe and dependable place to explore the world. In many cases the caregiver is not intentionally putting the child in danger, but is simply unconscious of the many household dangers to children. Separation distress is also detrimental likewise childs well-being. When separated from the primary caregiver, the child will immediately become put out and depressed. Many children experience this even in the most normal, grand family circumstances. A deficiency in any of these areas can affect a child later down the road. LEGISLATION In the past, the join States has attempt to correct this problem through legislation. The Aid to Families with Dependent Children (FADE) was first passed in 1935, provided money for relief to cooperate families provide for their children.In 1972, President Nixon built on the idea but changing it to Aid to Dependent Children (DC) trying to replacing focus on to the children as opposed to the family. Rep ublicans typically have a laissez fairer attitude, however all sides felt this was an important issue. Later Temporary assistance for Needy Families ( storage tank) was created in 1996 and righted the DC. With TANK, time limits were put in place, and subsidies were provided to parents to help them care for their children. Currently the federal government digests up to thirty percent of each states TANK funds to be used alongside current child care grants.In the sasss The Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare act focused on keeping the child with the biological parents at any cost. Later this was reformed into the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The new act switched the focus from family preservation to safety and permanency of the child. 6 The Child deal out and Development Block let (JDBC) is a block grant disposed(p) to tastes to support child care for low-income families if parents are currently employed or enrolled in school. Approximately 1. 8 million US children receive funds, 36,300 in Missouri alone (IDS, 2009).The grant only applies to children thirteen and under whirl in-kind assistance to their families. An average of sixty-six dollars per week given in vouchers to subsidize child care (Almanac of Economic Policy, 1995). Another step in the honorable direction is provided by the Early Childhood Development, Education, and Care Fund (SEDUCE). This is another block grant that is provided to tastes and has many programs set in place to allow the child to remain in the home instead of utilizing facilitated child care.They offer a program called perplex At Home Parent (ASAP) which allows families with children lead and younger to receive in- cash and in-kind benefits in order to provide childcare themselves. Other qualifications this program include teen moms, high risk, no everlasting residence, unemployed, The family must also be 185% below the poverty line to be eligible. While these programs have been successful with goals regardin g abuse, safety, and permanency the poverty level continues to be at an all time high. LOOKING ABROAD THE NETHERLANDS I chose to liken our policies with The Netherlands.I found that the Netherlands is more progressive with its view of social welfare than the United States, however is far behind almost all other European countries. In The Netherlands they offer what are considered General Provisions. Basically every citizen is entitle to certain basic needs and provisions. General provisions include Child development groups, pre- school playgroups, child day-care, out of school child care, special education, primary 7 education, and youth health services. All of these programs are public and available to all citizens.The majority of the provisions are geared towards children staying with parents if potential to have a strong family unit. They offer extended maternity and parental leave for both parents to lower the cost and need for facilitated child care centers. The funding fr o child care and maternity/parental leave is provided by both national and local municipal authorities. All citizens pay in for the great good of country. LOOKING AHEAD REFORM I envision not to create a new policy but reform the currant policy.I feel that the Child Care and Development Block Grant (JDBC) is meeting the expectations and Laos the program was designed for. Because the problem is growing rapidly, changes need to be made so that we dont lose control of the situation. The programs goals would continue to focus on importance of family, and strive to provide stability, permanency, and enrichment to families. I also feel that we need more focus on early child development (birth to four years) because it will play a dramatic role later in these childrens lives.Working and collaborating with programs such as Head Start provide care givers tools to provide young children with what they need to thrive. Graduated assignment should be another key factor in the success of the pr ogram. Graduated disengagement is one of the most important bone marrow functions of social work. As social workers we need to help people set up their own support system so that when they nail the process, they dont feel alone or back where they started. Finding activities and helping them build new trusting relationships is a key factor in this step.They need a support system in place so that when crisis or hardship happens, they POLICY PROPOSAL do not feel hopeless. work 8 The program I am proposing would be separated into two main groups. The first group is children ages birth to four years and the irregular would reach children ages five to eighteen years old. Playgroups which are used in the Netherlands as well as many other European countries give young children ages birth to four years old a misfortune to interact and socialize with other children their age.Licensed facilitators specializing in early education and development will guide volunteers in providing educatio nal and stimulating activities. Meetings would be held three times a week at local schools, churches, parks, and community centers. tutelage the locations in the neighborhoods of he people they are serving will make attending the programs easier for these families. Child day care will also be provided to families that qualify. Accredited programs are required for all programs receiving grant funding implementing the core value competency.The number of locations should be based on the need for each individual community. For example, in areas of greater need, there should also be greater access to programs. I would also like to propose Emergency child care. This program would be a temporary safe arrangement to offer parents wild pansy of mind if their usual arrangements fall through. For example if the baby-sitter doesnt show up, or you have a family emergency, you could drop your child off for a briefly period of time. Children must already be enrolled in the program or be on some corresponding program such TANK to qualify.Companies that provide on-site day care centers for employees will also receive funding as well as tax incentives. This will give the parents incentive to want to keep their Job as well as peace of mind knowing their children are close by. 9 I also feel that more funds should be used for the Stay At Home Parent program to allow children ages four and under to be with their parents. Families that qualify will receive subsidies while working or attending school part-time and stay home with their child equaliser of the time.For older children ages five to eighteen the program would continue to offer reward after school and summertime activities. The objective is to get these kids away from the TV and teach them about the world around them. These activities should based on the strengths place model. It is important to find something that the child is interested in or desires, so that they can feel like they have a skill or purpose. After s chool programs would include tutoring, mentoring, counseling, skill building social interaction, violence prevention, and other similar programs.As social workers we must first build a trusting, positive relationship with the people we are working with. Finding normal interests help to bridge partnerships and giving them someone they feel they can turn to. It is important to focus on forming positive relationships instead of trying perform them. These programs will give the children the skills they need to be responsible for their own conduct and become productive members of their communities. I would also like to provide subsidies for summer camps.I found some programs such as the YMCA that offer subsidized summer programs for under-privileged youth already. Many families struggle the most during the summer months when their children are out of school. This would eliminate having to pay for child care the entire three months of summer, as well as give the child something enjoya ble to do. 10 Parents would be provided education and resources on child development and health. The program would offer usance resources, resume help, transportation assistance, interview techniques, internet access, and listings for local Job openings in the