#12 Dependent Care 2005 – 2006

Meredith Bellson 19 posts Aug 17, 2007 11:51 AM

#12. Dependent Care 2005 – 2006 NOTE: POST A MESSAGE TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS! WHEREAS, women have historically been the primary caregivers for children and for frail elderly dependents; and WHEREAS, in 2002 women comprised 53 percent of Tennessee's labor force; and 63 percent of mothers whose youngest child was under the age of six (6) were in the labor force, 75 percent of mothers whose youngest child was six (6) to seventeen (l7) were in the labor force, and 65.5 percent of all children under the age of 18 lived with only one parent and that parent was in the labor force or all the parents in the family were in the labor force; and WHEREAS, the TN Department of Human Services estimates that over 300,000 children, age 6-12, need before and after school care, and 223,000 pre-school children need child care during work hours; and WHEREAS, low-income families receive a smaller share of federal child care dollars today than they did in the 1970's as a result of increased use of the child care tax credit by families with higher incomes; and "low-income families receive a smaller share of federal child care dollars today then they did in the 1980's as a result of the failure to index adjusted gross family income for the allowed credit. (The National Women's Law Center cited that, "In 1984, 22% of claimants with less than $15,000 in income could receive a credit equal to 27% and 30% of care expenses, but by 2000, only 1.4% of claims were eligible for the highest credit rates." "Indexing the DCTC," April 2003, page 2); and WHEREAS, in 1991 1,500 elderly Tennesseans were served in a total of 52 adult day care programs, and now in 2005, the number of adult day care programs has decreased to 25 licensed programs serving only about 925 elderly Tennesseans; and WHEREAS, according to AARP/TN, the number of elderly Tennesseans has mushroomed over the past ten years; the 2000 census showed almost 325,000 Tennesseans over 65 with a disability who may have limitations in self care; and estimates on the need for adult day care could be as high as 150,000 Tennesseans; and WHEREAS, economic necessity often demands and the prevailing attitude of American society affirms that women work outside the home; this change was confirmed by official public policy in the form of the 1996 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Act; and WHEREAS, because of the changes in public values and governmental policy, access to affordable, quality dependent care is critical to the well-being of society and the economy; and WHEREAS, licensing standards are critical to ensure the safety and protection of children in all types of child care program, and these populations should not be put at risk by granting waivers or exemptions from licensure standards; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that TCSW intends that the-term "quality dependent care” shall encompass infant and pre-school care, 24 hour extended child care for shift workers, before and after school care, specialized care for dependents who are physically and mentally disabled, and day care for vulnerable adults; and have chronic, medical conditions [day care for individuals with physical and intellectual disability is not supported by self-advocates, advocates and family members of individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities; appropriate models of service include supported or customized employment , or other appropriate community-based activities utilized by peers].

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