State Seeks Input On Child Care

Idaho’s Department of Health and Welfare wants you to tell it how to run the state’s child-care program.

State officials are inviting childcare providers, parents and others to a meeting in Coeur d’Alene Thursday to develop a “strategic vision” for the Idaho Child Care Program.

The largely federally funded program helps low-income families pay for child care.

“I do think it takes participation from all providers,” said DeAnn Johnson, owner of A Place for Kids Child Care Center in Post Falls, who plans on attending the meeting.

The meetings, also held this week in Idaho Falls and Boise, are a federal requirement.

Issues expected to come up at the meeting include an electronic system to handle child-care payments, training for day-care providers and childcare licensing. Participants will also discuss the impact of welfare reform on the program.

Alice Anderson, coordinator of the Child Care Resource Center at the Panhandle Health District, said she hopes providers and parents support continued training programs for day-care workers.

About 5,000 families participate in the Idaho Child Care Program.

The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at Kootenai Medical Center’s Fox Auditorium. A copy of the child care and development fund biennial state plan can be found at www.state.id.us/dhw.