Community Input Sought for Grant Fund Distribution

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Oklahoma parents, child care providers, educators and community members will have two opportunities to make their voices heard when it comes to providing quality child care in the state.
Every two years, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Division of Child Care writes a state plan that details how federal Child Care and Development Fund block grants will be used. The OKDHS Division of Child Care collects information from several sources and uses it to develop the Child Care and Development Fund Plan for FFY 2008-2009.

To collect this information, two Internet surveys are available for parents and for child care providers and community stakeholders. Parents who are interested can take the Survey for Parents. Providers and partners can take the Survey for Providers and Partners. Every one is encouraged to participate and take the appropriate survey well in advance of the May 15 deadline.

“We'll collect information through May 15, but we'd like to receive the bulk of the responses prior to April 15 so we can provide those results at the public hearing on May 15,” said Dale Wares, OKDHS Division of Child Care.

The May 15 public hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Oklahoma History Center, 2400 N. Laird, in Oklahoma City. The public hearing is another opportunity for community members to contribute their suggestions or air any concerns, Wares said. Prior to the event, a draft version of the state plan will be available for review on the OKDHS web site.

The state plan explains services offered in Oklahoma, how low-income parents may access the system, plans for improving the quality of child care in Oklahoma and a description of health and safety requirements for child care facilities in the state.

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