Opinions Sought for Child Care Survey

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 2 years, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ Child Care Services Division writes a state plan that details how federal Child Care and Development Fund block grant funds will be used. Oklahoma Child Care Services collects information from several sources and uses it to construct the draft Child Care and Development Fund Plan for FFY 2010-2011.

To collect this information, 2 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 1 deadline.

“We’d like to receive the bulk of the responses prior to May 1 so we can provide those results at the public hearing on May 11,” said Dale Wares, Oklahoma Child Care Services. “However, we’ll continue to collect information up until May 11.”

The May 11 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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