Draft Public Policy Agenda 0508
Content
2008-2010 Public Policy Agenda Recommended Advocacy Issues from Result Committees
Result Committee Safe & Decent Housing Recommended Advocacy Issue Revitalize vacant and abandoned housing and property. Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier One Rationale There are 4,200 vacant and abandoned structures in Columbus, up from 3,500 in 2006. Vacant and abandoned houses contribute to overall blighted conditions of a neighborhood, lower property values and often set the stage for criminal activity such as vagrancy, drug dealing and prostitution. Advocates have experienced success in highlighting the affect of vacant and abandoned property. HB 138 passed the house in December, has had three hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, and looks good for Senate passage. Required recordation of deeds is just one of the strategies identified in our current public policy agenda. The vacant and abandoned property problem has the attention of all levels of government and both sides of the aisle. Community Research Partner’s recent project on behalf of ReBuild Ohio provides additional data and talking points. The Safe & Decent Housing and Safe Neighborhoods Results Committees believe much more work remains to be done in this area and urge continued Tier One focus. According to the U.S. Census, in 2002 there were 20,000 renter-occupied housing units and 10,700 renter-occupied housing units with moderate to severe physical problems. These units exhibit serious exterior and interior housing code issues that need to be enforced in order to maintain the quality of Central Ohio neighborhoods and the safety of our citizens. Existing enforcement codes and staff are inadequate to address such issues in a timely fashion. Annual inspections of rental property and/or stricter code enforcements would make it difficult for landlords to neglect their properties.
Support policies that hold landlords accountable for the quality of their rental properties. Monitor as Tier Three or add as a strategy to Tier One vacant and abandoned property issue. New Item Safe Neighborhoods Support policies that slow the rate of home foreclosures.
A recent study by Business First revealed that there were 7,500 foreclosures in the Columbus market in the first six months of 2007, up from 3,500 in the first six months of 2005. Currently, 45 houses a day are foreclosed on in the Columbus market. For every foreclosure in
Page 1
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue No Tier Recommendation New Item
Rationale a neighborhood, the surrounding houses fall 1% in value. As more foreclosures occur, the rates of vacant and abandoned properties increase. Strategies could range from financial literacy classes to supporting a moratorium on foreclosures to suing unethical lenders. Expanded Medicaid eligibility does little for low-income families if physicians – particularly specialists – cap the number of Medicaid patients they see. Many physicians contend that low Medicaid reimbursement rates prohibit them from caring for large numbers of Medicaid eligible patients. Committee members recommend an expanded focus on expanding Medicaid eligibility, which will help increase access to health care for low income families. A focus on enrollment of eligible populations is important as well as increasing the number of providers accepting Medicaid reimbursement. Work to reduce renewal and administrative barriers. Central Ohio is home to growing Somali and Hispanic communities. Health care must be provided despite cultural and language differences. Central Ohio is also home for many undocumented families in need of health care. There is a disconnect between available information and services and utilization of services by people who need care. Policies are needed that ensure people utilize the care that’s available and cultural competency must be prioritized in health care delivery. The health care system and related subsystems have grown increasingly fragmented, due in part to lack of information sharing and availability of aggregate data that would allow for monitoring of system utilization. A monitoring system could be used by public health departments, safety-net provider organizations, other advocates, and funders to obtain needed information about Franklin County’s health care safety-net’s capacity (supply and demand). The monitoring system could: • • • Document gaps in capacity, the need for additional resources and how those resources could best be used to serve vulnerable persons Advocate for policies at the state and local levels Support the work of a “community answer” to the problem of access to care - insurance
Page 2
Barriers to Accessing Health Care
Increase access to health care for low-income families. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two
Ensure quality healthcare for Central Ohio’s growing immigrant communities. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item Centralize aggregate health care data and monitor use of health care system at the community level. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue •
Rationale does not equal access Make more informed city and county decisions
At a basic level, a monitoring system could provide currently unavailable snapshots and trends on descriptors of the county’s primary care safety-net.
Nutrition & Fitness
Promote School wellness policies. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two Promote alternative transit by expanding bikeways and ensuring the presence of sidewalks while connecting both to safe and decent neighborhoods. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item Promote policies that encourage access to parks and recreation. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
Regardless of the fact that schools are, to some extent closed systems, opportunities still exist to encourage healthy nutrition and fitness learning and behaviors. Advocacy can be directed at availability of healthy food items, limitation of unhealthy food products available in schools, amount of physical activity during the school day, and instructional standards for nutrition and physical activity. Providing residents with bikeways, walking paths, and sidewalks will help encourage them to choose active transportation rather than relying solely on automobiles, thereby increasing the frequency of physical activity. Efforts in this area would also help residents feel more connected to their community and neighbors.
Increasing access to and availability of quality parks and recreation options as well as programming will encourage residents to increase physical activity. Connecting parks and recreation options to safe and decent neighborhoods will help remove barriers to exercise and physical activity.
Financial Stability
Promote polices that fund and/or increase awareness about Earned
The federal EITC is a refundable tax credit available to many working individuals and families who earn less than $38,000. This credit currently does more to bring working families out of
Page 3
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue Income Tax Credits (EITC). Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier Three
Rationale poverty than any other government program. In the 2004 tax season, more than 780,000 Ohio families received the EITC at an average credit of $1,729, which brought more than $1.3 billion in federal refunds to Ohio. According to IRS data, $161 million dollars returned to Franklin County because of the EITC in Tax Year 2005. Enacting an Ohio EITC that supplements the federal credit would provide working families a needed boost in income while contributing additional monies to the local economy. OUW is working closely with Policy Matters to develop a statewide coalition (CA$H) to work on financial stability. CA$H (Coalition for Assets, Savings & Hope) will help people build savings and financial security through assets, and increase awareness about asset building initiatives. CA$H will also begin laying the groundwork for a statewide EITC for the 2011-2012 biennium budget.
Financial Stability (cont.)
Promote policies that support workforce development. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
A major obstacle to financial stability is the inability to obtain meaningful employment. Employers want qualified and motivated workers. Workforce development programs provide education and training that lead to successful and long-term employment. Employers see the fiscal value of retaining good workers. Many businesses are supportive of initiatives that address workforce issues and job satisfaction.
Emergency Food, Shelter & Financial Assistance
Increase and maintain housing and supportive services for homeless persons and people at risk of homelessness. Recommendation Tier: Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two
Support local, state and federal efforts to address the needs of homeless individuals: • The City of Columbus is spearheading an affordable housing advocacy campaign as part of the Rebuilding Lives Updated Strategy recommendations. Planning work for this effort will begin this year. The Home for Good Ohio Campaign is a statewide coalition that’s working to secure $13 million a year for two years in the next biennial budget for supportive housing, service coordination, and rent subsidies for disabled and homeless individuals. The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the first major federal legislative response to homelessness, is due for reauthorization. It provides a range of services to homeless people, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, job training, primary health care, education, and some permanent housing. The reauthorization could result in increased
Page 4
•
•
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue
Rationale funding, expanded services and a greater target population.
Increase state and federal resources for food bank support. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
The number of people in poverty or at risk of poverty continues to increase as economic challenges continue. Food banks across the state are seeing increased demand and fewer donations. The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) has more than 3,300 member charities that include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other organizations in all 88 counties. In the last biennial budget, OASHF asked for a $6.5 million increase to support a 5% increase in food purchases and help compensate food banks for a 35% increase in operating costs related to rising energy and fuel costs for transportation, storage and distribution. OASHF did not receive the increase. Committee members would like UWCO to advocate for increased funding in the next biennium budget. Senator Sherrod Brown introduced emergency legislation in December to fund food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The bill would provide $40 million in emergency food until Congress passes a Farm Bill (currently in conference committee).
Emergency Food, Shelter & Financial Assistance (cont.)
Develop 2-1-1 Plus system to help people in crisis. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item Increase state funding for safety net services. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
Committee members recommend an expanded 2-1-1 that would make the system a single point of contact for persons in crisis. Expanding 2-1-1 to include call-backs or follow-up contact with callers to make sure people in crisis receive the assistance they needed would make 2-1-1 more effective and help prevent people from falling between the cracks.
Work with state coalitions such as Have a Heart Ohio in advocating on behalf of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens, especially low-income families, children and individuals. Work for meaningful welfare reform and workforce polices. Advocate for sufficient funding for human services.
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
Develop public support for the implementation of 2-1-1-.
A statewide 2-1-1 would quickly connect people impacted by an emergency or disaster with needed services. The Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Office is working with
Page 5
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue Recommended Tier: 2 Current Agenda Item at Tier Three
Rationale FIRSTLINK to ensure people can easily access information and services in the likelihood of a disaster. Ohio United Way and United Way of America are heading efforts to secure state and federal funding for 2-1-1 systems. Pockets of the state do not have 211 systems.
High School Graduation
Expand public support for urban education efforts. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Three Help students successfully transition from High School to employment or higher learning by supporting P-16. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
School funding remains inadequate for Ohio students. Despite being deemed unconstitutional, Ohio continues to rely on property taxes to fund public schools. This is especially challenging for urban school districts that are plagued with increased foreclosures, vacant and abandoned properties, and urban flight. Committee members urge UWCO to become more actively involved with coalitions that advocate for a more equitable school funding system. P-16 is a shared education reform effort designed to align curriculum standards to higher education standards and expectations. P-16 also aligns educators and community businesses in a joint effort to produce skilled and talented workers needed for the 21st century economy. Established in statute and chaired by the Governor, the Partnership for Continued Learning is comprised of leaders from education, business and industry, economic development, government and local communities. The Partnership is charged in statute to make policy recommendations that will help Ohio students succeed at school, on the job, and in their lives. Drop out rates continue to be high, leading to problems with financial stability (unemployable) which is connected to crime and safety. Investment in delinquency prevention programs would help keep youth in school so they can graduate. Attention is also needed in helping ensure smooth transitions between grade levels.
Early childhood care/education advocates experienced tremendous success last year with an increase of nearly $270 million in the state’s 2007-2008 biennium budget. Ohio is facing a state budget deficit of at least $730 million. To date Governor Strickland has held early care harmless in his efforts to re-balance the state budget; but economic forecasts may indicate the need for additional cuts. Committee members would like Kindergarten Readiness to remain a Tier One legislative priority as advocates work to protect gains made in the 2007-08 state budget.
High School Graduation (cont.)
Promote delinquency prevention and intervention programs. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
Kindergarten Readiness
Promote School Readiness. Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier One
Support polices that address
Maternal depression is a significant risk factor affecting the well-being and school readiness of
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Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue
maternal depression. Recommendation: Tier Three or consider including in current Tier One School Readiness legislative priority. New Item Support programs that encourage outdoor activity and an appreciation for the environment. Recommendation: Tier Three or consider including in current Tier Two School Wellness legislative priority. New Item Support policies that require licensure of home child care providers. Recommendation: Add to current Tier One School Readiness priority. New Item
Rationale young children. Maternal depression, alone, or in combination with other risks, can pose serious barriers to healthy early development and school readiness. More than half the mothers (52%) in a study of 17 Early Head Start programs reported depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is a barrier to ensuring that young children experience the kinds of relationships that will facilitate their success in early school years. Investing in treatment and support for maternal depression will promote healthy early child development and school readiness. Outdoor programs increase children’s appreciation of the environment and helps foster a responsibility to preserve it. The outdoor environment provides space to develop fundamental movement skills such as walking, running and coordination. An important goal of early childhood programs is the development of a healthy self-esteem. Outdoors, children are able to experience the increasing control they have over their bodies and the gains they make in their physical skills. Outdoor programs also help reduce childhood obesity.
Child care centers caring for 13 or more children are licensed by the state, as are homes caring for seven to twelve children. However providers of one to six children in their own homes are certified by the county only if they receive public money for their services. There is no oversight for persons who care for up to six children for private pay, as a business, in their homes.
Page 7
Result Committee Safe & Decent Housing Recommended Advocacy Issue Revitalize vacant and abandoned housing and property. Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier One Rationale There are 4,200 vacant and abandoned structures in Columbus, up from 3,500 in 2006. Vacant and abandoned houses contribute to overall blighted conditions of a neighborhood, lower property values and often set the stage for criminal activity such as vagrancy, drug dealing and prostitution. Advocates have experienced success in highlighting the affect of vacant and abandoned property. HB 138 passed the house in December, has had three hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, and looks good for Senate passage. Required recordation of deeds is just one of the strategies identified in our current public policy agenda. The vacant and abandoned property problem has the attention of all levels of government and both sides of the aisle. Community Research Partner’s recent project on behalf of ReBuild Ohio provides additional data and talking points. The Safe & Decent Housing and Safe Neighborhoods Results Committees believe much more work remains to be done in this area and urge continued Tier One focus. According to the U.S. Census, in 2002 there were 20,000 renter-occupied housing units and 10,700 renter-occupied housing units with moderate to severe physical problems. These units exhibit serious exterior and interior housing code issues that need to be enforced in order to maintain the quality of Central Ohio neighborhoods and the safety of our citizens. Existing enforcement codes and staff are inadequate to address such issues in a timely fashion. Annual inspections of rental property and/or stricter code enforcements would make it difficult for landlords to neglect their properties.
Support policies that hold landlords accountable for the quality of their rental properties. Monitor as Tier Three or add as a strategy to Tier One vacant and abandoned property issue. New Item Safe Neighborhoods Support policies that slow the rate of home foreclosures.
A recent study by Business First revealed that there were 7,500 foreclosures in the Columbus market in the first six months of 2007, up from 3,500 in the first six months of 2005. Currently, 45 houses a day are foreclosed on in the Columbus market. For every foreclosure in
Page 1
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue No Tier Recommendation New Item
Rationale a neighborhood, the surrounding houses fall 1% in value. As more foreclosures occur, the rates of vacant and abandoned properties increase. Strategies could range from financial literacy classes to supporting a moratorium on foreclosures to suing unethical lenders. Expanded Medicaid eligibility does little for low-income families if physicians – particularly specialists – cap the number of Medicaid patients they see. Many physicians contend that low Medicaid reimbursement rates prohibit them from caring for large numbers of Medicaid eligible patients. Committee members recommend an expanded focus on expanding Medicaid eligibility, which will help increase access to health care for low income families. A focus on enrollment of eligible populations is important as well as increasing the number of providers accepting Medicaid reimbursement. Work to reduce renewal and administrative barriers. Central Ohio is home to growing Somali and Hispanic communities. Health care must be provided despite cultural and language differences. Central Ohio is also home for many undocumented families in need of health care. There is a disconnect between available information and services and utilization of services by people who need care. Policies are needed that ensure people utilize the care that’s available and cultural competency must be prioritized in health care delivery. The health care system and related subsystems have grown increasingly fragmented, due in part to lack of information sharing and availability of aggregate data that would allow for monitoring of system utilization. A monitoring system could be used by public health departments, safety-net provider organizations, other advocates, and funders to obtain needed information about Franklin County’s health care safety-net’s capacity (supply and demand). The monitoring system could: • • • Document gaps in capacity, the need for additional resources and how those resources could best be used to serve vulnerable persons Advocate for policies at the state and local levels Support the work of a “community answer” to the problem of access to care - insurance
Page 2
Barriers to Accessing Health Care
Increase access to health care for low-income families. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two
Ensure quality healthcare for Central Ohio’s growing immigrant communities. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item Centralize aggregate health care data and monitor use of health care system at the community level. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue •
Rationale does not equal access Make more informed city and county decisions
At a basic level, a monitoring system could provide currently unavailable snapshots and trends on descriptors of the county’s primary care safety-net.
Nutrition & Fitness
Promote School wellness policies. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two Promote alternative transit by expanding bikeways and ensuring the presence of sidewalks while connecting both to safe and decent neighborhoods. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item Promote policies that encourage access to parks and recreation. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
Regardless of the fact that schools are, to some extent closed systems, opportunities still exist to encourage healthy nutrition and fitness learning and behaviors. Advocacy can be directed at availability of healthy food items, limitation of unhealthy food products available in schools, amount of physical activity during the school day, and instructional standards for nutrition and physical activity. Providing residents with bikeways, walking paths, and sidewalks will help encourage them to choose active transportation rather than relying solely on automobiles, thereby increasing the frequency of physical activity. Efforts in this area would also help residents feel more connected to their community and neighbors.
Increasing access to and availability of quality parks and recreation options as well as programming will encourage residents to increase physical activity. Connecting parks and recreation options to safe and decent neighborhoods will help remove barriers to exercise and physical activity.
Financial Stability
Promote polices that fund and/or increase awareness about Earned
The federal EITC is a refundable tax credit available to many working individuals and families who earn less than $38,000. This credit currently does more to bring working families out of
Page 3
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue Income Tax Credits (EITC). Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier Three
Rationale poverty than any other government program. In the 2004 tax season, more than 780,000 Ohio families received the EITC at an average credit of $1,729, which brought more than $1.3 billion in federal refunds to Ohio. According to IRS data, $161 million dollars returned to Franklin County because of the EITC in Tax Year 2005. Enacting an Ohio EITC that supplements the federal credit would provide working families a needed boost in income while contributing additional monies to the local economy. OUW is working closely with Policy Matters to develop a statewide coalition (CA$H) to work on financial stability. CA$H (Coalition for Assets, Savings & Hope) will help people build savings and financial security through assets, and increase awareness about asset building initiatives. CA$H will also begin laying the groundwork for a statewide EITC for the 2011-2012 biennium budget.
Financial Stability (cont.)
Promote policies that support workforce development. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
A major obstacle to financial stability is the inability to obtain meaningful employment. Employers want qualified and motivated workers. Workforce development programs provide education and training that lead to successful and long-term employment. Employers see the fiscal value of retaining good workers. Many businesses are supportive of initiatives that address workforce issues and job satisfaction.
Emergency Food, Shelter & Financial Assistance
Increase and maintain housing and supportive services for homeless persons and people at risk of homelessness. Recommendation Tier: Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Two
Support local, state and federal efforts to address the needs of homeless individuals: • The City of Columbus is spearheading an affordable housing advocacy campaign as part of the Rebuilding Lives Updated Strategy recommendations. Planning work for this effort will begin this year. The Home for Good Ohio Campaign is a statewide coalition that’s working to secure $13 million a year for two years in the next biennial budget for supportive housing, service coordination, and rent subsidies for disabled and homeless individuals. The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the first major federal legislative response to homelessness, is due for reauthorization. It provides a range of services to homeless people, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, job training, primary health care, education, and some permanent housing. The reauthorization could result in increased
Page 4
•
•
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue
Rationale funding, expanded services and a greater target population.
Increase state and federal resources for food bank support. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
The number of people in poverty or at risk of poverty continues to increase as economic challenges continue. Food banks across the state are seeing increased demand and fewer donations. The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) has more than 3,300 member charities that include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other organizations in all 88 counties. In the last biennial budget, OASHF asked for a $6.5 million increase to support a 5% increase in food purchases and help compensate food banks for a 35% increase in operating costs related to rising energy and fuel costs for transportation, storage and distribution. OASHF did not receive the increase. Committee members would like UWCO to advocate for increased funding in the next biennium budget. Senator Sherrod Brown introduced emergency legislation in December to fund food banks through the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The bill would provide $40 million in emergency food until Congress passes a Farm Bill (currently in conference committee).
Emergency Food, Shelter & Financial Assistance (cont.)
Develop 2-1-1 Plus system to help people in crisis. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item Increase state funding for safety net services. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
Committee members recommend an expanded 2-1-1 that would make the system a single point of contact for persons in crisis. Expanding 2-1-1 to include call-backs or follow-up contact with callers to make sure people in crisis receive the assistance they needed would make 2-1-1 more effective and help prevent people from falling between the cracks.
Work with state coalitions such as Have a Heart Ohio in advocating on behalf of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens, especially low-income families, children and individuals. Work for meaningful welfare reform and workforce polices. Advocate for sufficient funding for human services.
Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
Develop public support for the implementation of 2-1-1-.
A statewide 2-1-1 would quickly connect people impacted by an emergency or disaster with needed services. The Franklin County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Office is working with
Page 5
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue Recommended Tier: 2 Current Agenda Item at Tier Three
Rationale FIRSTLINK to ensure people can easily access information and services in the likelihood of a disaster. Ohio United Way and United Way of America are heading efforts to secure state and federal funding for 2-1-1 systems. Pockets of the state do not have 211 systems.
High School Graduation
Expand public support for urban education efforts. Recommendation: Tier Two Current Agenda Item at Tier Three Help students successfully transition from High School to employment or higher learning by supporting P-16. Recommendation: Tier Three New Item
School funding remains inadequate for Ohio students. Despite being deemed unconstitutional, Ohio continues to rely on property taxes to fund public schools. This is especially challenging for urban school districts that are plagued with increased foreclosures, vacant and abandoned properties, and urban flight. Committee members urge UWCO to become more actively involved with coalitions that advocate for a more equitable school funding system. P-16 is a shared education reform effort designed to align curriculum standards to higher education standards and expectations. P-16 also aligns educators and community businesses in a joint effort to produce skilled and talented workers needed for the 21st century economy. Established in statute and chaired by the Governor, the Partnership for Continued Learning is comprised of leaders from education, business and industry, economic development, government and local communities. The Partnership is charged in statute to make policy recommendations that will help Ohio students succeed at school, on the job, and in their lives. Drop out rates continue to be high, leading to problems with financial stability (unemployable) which is connected to crime and safety. Investment in delinquency prevention programs would help keep youth in school so they can graduate. Attention is also needed in helping ensure smooth transitions between grade levels.
Early childhood care/education advocates experienced tremendous success last year with an increase of nearly $270 million in the state’s 2007-2008 biennium budget. Ohio is facing a state budget deficit of at least $730 million. To date Governor Strickland has held early care harmless in his efforts to re-balance the state budget; but economic forecasts may indicate the need for additional cuts. Committee members would like Kindergarten Readiness to remain a Tier One legislative priority as advocates work to protect gains made in the 2007-08 state budget.
High School Graduation (cont.)
Promote delinquency prevention and intervention programs. Recommendation: Tier Two New Item
Kindergarten Readiness
Promote School Readiness. Recommendation: Tier One Current Agenda Item at Tier One
Support polices that address
Maternal depression is a significant risk factor affecting the well-being and school readiness of
Page 6
Result Committee
Recommended Advocacy Issue
maternal depression. Recommendation: Tier Three or consider including in current Tier One School Readiness legislative priority. New Item Support programs that encourage outdoor activity and an appreciation for the environment. Recommendation: Tier Three or consider including in current Tier Two School Wellness legislative priority. New Item Support policies that require licensure of home child care providers. Recommendation: Add to current Tier One School Readiness priority. New Item
Rationale young children. Maternal depression, alone, or in combination with other risks, can pose serious barriers to healthy early development and school readiness. More than half the mothers (52%) in a study of 17 Early Head Start programs reported depressive symptoms. Maternal depression is a barrier to ensuring that young children experience the kinds of relationships that will facilitate their success in early school years. Investing in treatment and support for maternal depression will promote healthy early child development and school readiness. Outdoor programs increase children’s appreciation of the environment and helps foster a responsibility to preserve it. The outdoor environment provides space to develop fundamental movement skills such as walking, running and coordination. An important goal of early childhood programs is the development of a healthy self-esteem. Outdoors, children are able to experience the increasing control they have over their bodies and the gains they make in their physical skills. Outdoor programs also help reduce childhood obesity.
Child care centers caring for 13 or more children are licensed by the state, as are homes caring for seven to twelve children. However providers of one to six children in their own homes are certified by the county only if they receive public money for their services. There is no oversight for persons who care for up to six children for private pay, as a business, in their homes.
Page 7
