• Sharon Triolo-Moloney, Colorado Department of Education

• Anne Conklin, City of Lakewood Early Childhood Coordinator

• Mary Lou Calium, Parent

• Craig Nicholson, County Commissioner for Gilpin County

• James Schauer, County Commissioner

• Frank Cooper, Superintendent of Schools, Canon City Schools and Family Center Board

• Pamela Walker, Early Childhood Coordinator for Canon City Schools, Co-Director of First Steps Early Head Start 

• Libby Boles, Early Head Start Coordinator for the Southern Ute Child and Family Center

• Harold Anderson, Chair of Local Board

• Jan Baumgartner, Director, Children's Fun Factory

• Sandy Chapin, Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist

• Medora Fralic, Parent

• Robert White, Director, Routt County Department of Social Services

• Tami Havener, Director, Family Development Center

• Deborah McVeigh, Director, The Village at Littleton

• Anne Keire, Child Care Assistance Program Manager for Larimer County

• Mary Hamilton, Executive Director, Discovery Land Children's Centers, Inc.

• Jackie Randle, Coordinator, Roots and Wings for Children

• Linda Fairbain, Director, Prowers County Department of Social Services

• Mona Matthewson, Director of Family Connections

• Jyl Coats, Special Services Coordinator RE-1 Valley Schools

• Cheryl Caldwell, Co-Chair, Denver Public Schools/City Joint Council on Early Childhood Care and Education

• Barbara Drake, Deputy Director, El Paso County Department of Human Services

• Debra Lawrence, Executive Director, Child Care Connections

• Kathy Howell, Early Childhood Supervisor, School District 11

• Diane Price, Executive Director Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers

• Sharon Triolo-Moloney, Colorado Department of Education

9:10 a.m. -- Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the chair, Senator Wham. Members present were Senators Arnold, Linkhart, Pascoe, and Tebedo; and Representatives Alexander, Hefley, Spence, Spradley, Tupa, and S. Williams. Staff present were Carolyn Kampman, Joint Budget Committee; Jennifer Gilroy and Jeff Conway, Office of Legislative Legal Services; and Cathy Eslinger, Jennifer Butler, Susan Liddle, and Janis Baron, Legislative Council Staff.


9:03 a.m.

Sharon Triolo-Moloney, Colorado Department of Education, stated that the Consolidated Child Care Pilot Program was established by the state legislature in 1997. The program was designed to help meet the need for full-day, full-year, quality early childhood services as a partner to welfare reform. She added that the program will be growing from 12 communities to 18 communities this Fall. She stated that the individuals coming before the committee today were going to be talking about the successes of the program, and providing any recommendations that they may have. She distributed a pamphlet which lists the various pilot programs and their contact persons. She turned the discussion over to Kevin Richards, Director of Human Services for Clear Creek County and the chair of the Triad Pilot Program that consists of Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties.


9:17 a.m. -- Triad: Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties

Mr. Richards introduced various individuals who were in attendance at the meeting. He discussed the functions of the Triad Pilot Program and distributed a handout which highlights the strategies that the program has undertaken. He also distributed written remarks from Mary Lou Callan, a parent in the Triad area, who was not able to be in attendance today.

9:21 a.m.

Anne Conklin, City of Lakewood Early Childhood Coordinator, discussed the program in her area. She stated that her recommendation is for the state to expand the pilot program.


9:26 a.m.

Craig Nicholson, County Commissioner in Gilpin County, discussed the success of the Eagle's Nest Child Care Center. He stated that although there have been some problems along the way, the program is doing very well. He discussed the funding of the program. He stated that compensation for child care providers is too low, and that this problem is probably everywhere. In response to this, Gilpin County examined the pay rates and further funded the salaries of the providers. They determined that you have to pay for value. He stated that the child care portion of Gilpin County's budget this coming year will be in excess of $100,000.


9:33 a.m.

Kevin Richards stated that Joan Smith from Red Rocks Community College was available to answer any technical questions.

The committee questioned the panel about the reimbursement of the pilot programs from both the parent and the Child Care Assistance Program. Mr. Nicholson clarified his remark about the gaming industry helping to fund the pilot program by saying that contributions were from the casinos and gaming workers, but also added that Gilpin County receives a significant amount of revenue from gaming proceeds.

Ms. Conklin stated that pay rates for providers in the Triad Centers start at around $5.15. Mr. Nicholson stated that Gilpin County pays from between $9 and $12 an hour for child care workers. Peggy Roth, a nurse in Gilpin County and a board member of the Eagle's Nest Center, clarified that entry level pay for unskilled workers is $9 an hour, and group leaders may earn up to $13 an hour. This rate of pay is needed in this county because of the competition with the salaries of the gaming establishments. She added that benefits such as vacation and health insurance are also provided to employees. She stated that the turnover is very low because of this. Ms. Roth responded to additional questions from the committee.


9:49 a.m.

The committee continued questioning about the reimbursement rate and the poverty level rate that is used to determine eligibility and reimbursement rates. Joan Smith, Red Rocks Community College, detailed the process of funding the county centers which comes in a lump sum from the Child Care Assistance Program and from county funds.

Ms. Triolo-Moloney stated that the state limits the level of poverty to 185%, and added that a waiver is necessary if a county wants to go above this level. Senator Linkhart asked Ms. Triolo-Moloney to provide the members a chart which indicates the "cliff effect" that some parents at a high poverty level experience.

Committee questions and discussion continued about the rates that counties are able to pay providers, and about provider reimbursement rates. Senator Tebedo discussed the impact of industries such as gaming on other service industries. Ms. Conklin provided her view of why not all counties are able to provide salaries like Gilpin.


Senator Linkhart mentioned that the notebook provided to the members at the first committee meeting included some very good information about each of the individual pilot programs.


10:07 a.m. -- Ignacio

Libby Boles, Early Head Start Coordinator for the Southern Ute Child and Family Center in Ignacio, distributed a handout which outlines the five goals that the Ignacio Consolidated Child Care Pilot Program have identified. She discussed the services that are provided in the Center which is on the Reservation. She then responded to questions from the committee about provider qualifications, salaries and reimbursement rates.

Extensive discussion about licensing issues, including enforcement and inspection, in the Ignacio area ensued.

There was discussion about whether the Ignacio center was tapping students from Fort Lewis College to serve as providers, and also whether providers were utilizing the college to receive training. Ms. Boles stated that since Ignacio is near the New Mexico border, many students go to the school in Farmington to receive training. She added that this school was also more affordable than Fort Lewis College.


10:30 a.m. -- Fremont County

Pamela Walker, Early Childhood Coordinator for Cañon City Schools and Co-Director of First Steps Early Head Start, introduced the individuals from Fremont County who were in attendance today.

She then discussed the successes of the Fremont County pilot program - the Family Center. She discussed three new funding resources that had become available to the program, and she discussed how the funding received from these source had been used. She discussed the Center's future planning strategies.

Ms. Walker discussed the training efforts that Fremont County is engaged in with providers. She discussed the waivers that Fremont County had sought concerning the student count that is required on October 1 of each year


10:43 a.m.

Jo Beth Palmer, Co-Director of the Fremont County Head Start Program and Vice Chair of the Head Start Association, discussed several issues that would help retain child care providers: pay providers at a level that would enable them to stay in the child care field; provide tax credits to providers; and provide business tax credits for businesses that subsidize their employees child care needs.


10:46 a.m.

Frank Cooper, Superintendent of Schools, Cañon City Schools and Family Center Board, recommended establishing a process where there would be a local early childhood council that would manage child care issues in a specific area; providing local licensing to monitor and recruit providers; providing child care subsidies to low income parents; increase the learning opportunities available to help providers obtain the necessary training; looking at communities that are impacted by state prisons, and their need for employee child care; having government provide subsidies for employee child care in order to provide a role model for other businesses; and providing subsidies and incentives to providers to extend infant and toddler care.

Senator Wham commended the list of ideas from Fremont County, but pointed out that the problem is where to get the funding for all of these ideas. She asked for some details about how the local pilots are set up, what provider salaries are, and also information about how much child care costs for those participating in the pilot versus those parents who would be seeking child care on their own. The panelists responded.

11:00 a.m.

The committee continued to question the panel from Fremont County. Representative Spradley commended the involvement of the Cañon City School District in the provision of child care since they will eventually be seeing these children. Senator Arnold asked for more detail about how a prison community is impacted. Ms. Palmer stated that the nontraditional hours that prison workers have, and the economic impacts that the influx of population has created, impact child care issues.

Representative S. Williams asked for further information about the pilot programs' connection to the local school districts. Ms. Triolo-Moloney responded.

Tamber Armstrong, a parent of twins from Fremont County, came to the table to discuss her situation where she is only provided child care assistance when she is at work, but since she is studying to be a cosmetologist, which is not an approved educational program according to the county, she is not eligible for child care assistance while she is at school.


11:21 a.m. -- Morgan County

Harold Anderson, Chair of the Local Board, discussed the collaboration that is occurring in Morgan County. He summarized some of the successes their program has accomplished, and reviewed the history of the creation of the local board. He discussed training opportunities that are being provided to child care providers.

Sandy Chapin, Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist with the Morgan County Family Center, introduced the Superintendent of the Morgan County School District, and stated that his support of the program has been tremendous. She discussed the issues and problems with collaboration that can occur, but stated that the county and the pilot program are now working together. She stated that since the program did not have money at first, they were not seen as a major partner at the time. Now, with a few grants that have been received, the pilot is being seen as more of a partner in the process.

Ms. Chapin continued to discuss the efforts being undertaken in Morgan County to improve and increase the pilot program in her county.

11:30 a.m.

Jan Baumgartner, Director, Children's Fun Factory, discussed several suggestions. Among them were: 1) government support of education for children between the ages of 0-5; 2) strengthen the state's early childhood leadership team; 3) set up a comprehensive review process before county can receive funding; 4) enforce the rules that are made; 5) provide more money for capital construction for child care centers; 6) build in-service education into every budget, maybe the state can match this funding; 7) continue the state support of family centers; and 8) provide business subsidies.
Ms. Baumgartner responded to questions from the committee about how much her center charges for care. She stated that the average is $83.25 which is actually under the market value due to the economic situation in Morgan County. Representative Tupa raised the question of why parents with higher incomes are paying the same as the provider is being reimbursed by the state for low-income parents. He expressed concern with this concept. Mr. Anderson and Ms. Baumgartner responded.

Considerable discussion on this issue ensued.

11:55 a.m.

The committee questioned the panel about distance learning opportunities that are available to child care providers. Mr. Anderson responded.

The issue of capital construction funding for child care centers was discussed. Ms. Chapin discussed the issue of the needs of child care centers in regards to facilities.

Senator Wham thanked the members of the panel for coming today, and stated that it points out the differences that exist throughout the state.

11:58 a.m.

The committee recessed.


1:21 p.m.

The committee came back to order.


1:22 p.m. -- Routt County

Ms. Triolo-Moloney introduced panel members representing Routt County, Tami Havener, Director, Family Development Center; Bob White, Routt County Department of Social Services; and Medora White, a parent from Routt County. Ms. White discussed her situation as the mother of two and her choices for child care in Routt County. She described her situation as fortunate, in that she is able to choose the child care that she wants and is able to afford high quality care. Ms. White discussed her involvement in First Impressions, a private-public initiative for quality child care.


1:29 p.m.

Mr. White highlighted a letter from the Routt Board of County Commissioners that indicated the positive steps Routt County has taken due to the pilot project. He emphasized the need for local flexibility, and community involvement and decision-making.


1:36 p.m.

Ms. Havener spoke about the need for quality teachers in the Steamboat Springs area. She stated that teacher aides start at about $6.50 per hour and teachers start at $10 per hour. Ms. Havener described the reasons that Routt County's pilot program has been successful, including access to new funds and the ability to provide mini-grants to providers. Ms. Havener responded to questions of the committee. Senator Pascoe asked about allowing counties to make decisions regarding publicly subsidized slots for three-year-olds. Mr. White said that he thought the state should set parameters, while allowing counties to make decisions that are right for their communities. He said that Routt County contracts for all child care services and does not have its own facilities.
1:49 p.m.

Mr. White said that the county has made a priority of ensuring quality teachers and that providers are considered preschool educators, as opposed to babysitters. Senator Pascoe asked about the ski area child care site. Ms. Havener indicated that during the ski season, the on-site center is not licensed and serves only tourists.


1:55 p.m. -- Western Arapahoe: Sheridan, Englewood, Littleton

Deborah McVeigh, Director of The Village in Littleton, introduced her panel members: Gail Newbert and Gretchen Davidson from Englewood Schools' child care program. They provided a book titled "Ghosts from the Nursery" to members of the committee. Ms. Newbert described the successes of the Western Arapahoe Early Childhood Council. She indicated that the use of waivers through the pilot program has helped the child care community a great deal. Ms. Newbert listed projects and improvements that had been undertaken by the Early Childhood Council.


2:07 p.m.

Ms. McVeigh described further the use of waivers by the Council. She said that concerns identified by the Council include the need for ongoing funding supports, shortage of infant and toddler care, the need for more support services for mental health issues, and the need for low-cost or free parenting classes. Senator Pascoe spoke about research she has seen that indicates the most crucial developmental stages are pregnancy through age 2, but public funding has historically focused on three- and four-year-olds.


2:17 p.m.

Representative Spence asked panel members how risk factors are identified in children in child care settings. Ms. Newbert said that screenings and parent interviews provide some information in regard to family history and possible risk factors. Representative Spradley asked questions about how duplication of state efforts, in areas such as inspections, could be avoided. Ms. McVeigh responded with ideas about collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.


2:24 p.m.

Ms. Triolo-Moloney responded to questions about how additional collaboration might occur and whether changes in law might be required. Representative Spradley asked if there was a role for the state in providing public and community education. Ms. McVeigh responded by describing the importance of education about early brain development and early intervention needs.



2:29 p.m. -- Larimer County

Anne Keire, Child Care Assistance Program Manager for Larimer County, gave an overview of the high-impact planning that the county had done as a part of the pilot program. She said that all three school districts in Larimer County have been partners in their efforts. She said the ability to request waivers and the development of the Early Childhood Council have been the two primary factors in the success of their pilot.



2:39 p.m.

Mary Hamilton, Executive Director, Discovery Land Children's Centers, discussed the importance of the pilot program and the subsidies from private businesses. She said that in turn for business support, she tries to serve the community. She said that the low unemployment has resulted in many people leaving the child care field. Benefits for staff is another concern among child care providers, according to Ms. Hamilton. She read a thank-you note from a parent, indicating how grateful she is for consistent quality child care.


2:47 p.m.

Senator Tebedo asked Ms. Hamilton whether all of her staff members were certified teachers. Ms. Hamilton said that they were not all certified teachers. Ms. Keire responded to questions about the receipt and use of grants for funding.


2:50 p.m. -- Lamar

Jackie Randle, Coordinator, Roots and Wings For Children, thanked the committee for the state's interest and commitment to child care issues and to the pilot program. She described the history of the Roots and Wings center and the sources of funding that have been available. She said that Lamar Community College has been a partner in child care training for educators. The goal of Roots and Wings is to provide one-stop shopping for parents seeking services and resources. Ms. Randle spoke about the helpfulness of local flexibility in making progress in child care at the county level.


3:01 p.m.

Linda Fairbain, Director, Prowers County Department of Social Services, described the assistance and commitment of the Prowers County Board of County Commissioners to their new child care center. She responded to questions from the committee.


3:14 p.m. -- Logan County

Senator Wham welcomed the representatives from Logan County to the table. Jyl Coats introduced the other members of the panel and addressed the committee. She noted that their county developed a mission statement prior to setting up the pilot program.

Mona Matthewson noted that she is an employee of the school district, not of the county. She spoke about the pilot program, commenting that the county has been concerned about quality from the beginning. She also spoke about the support the program has received from the Board of County Commissioners.

A single parent of a child with autism spoke about her involvement in the pilot program. She discussed the problems associated with finding child care for children with disabilities. She had a difficult time finding after school care for her 7-year old daughter. She asked the committee to keep those concerns in mind.

Ms. Coats made several recommendations: provide stipends for teachers and child care providers who agree to participate in training; develop one set of standards for quality and provide training and support for each provider to achieve those standards; continue to fund home education visitation for parents; fund a public awareness campaign about the importance of early childhood education. Recommendations that she had for the committee included: make sure that the limited amount of money that is designated for early childhood stays with early childhood and does not leak to K-12; and communicate with Head Start and ask that income guidelines be raised so that all of the spots are filled. Senator Wham thanked the panel.

3:39 p.m. -- Denver

Cheryl Caldwell, Co-Chair, Denver Public Schools/City Joint Council on Early Childhood Care and Education, addressed the committee. She spoke about the activities of the pilot program. She noted that the pilot program has given them an opportunity to try some new things and to innovate a little in ways of providing quality child care. She noted that they are working with Educare.

Ms. Caldwell made several recommendations to the committee: encourage greater communication between the departments of Education and Human Services; continue to provide money for pilot programs and test sites and identify those programs that should be replicated county or statewide; adjust the pupil count process for special needs students so that significant amounts of money are not being taken from other places for this reason; increase funding for the Colorado Preschool Program. She responded to questions from the committee. Berma Benson, from Denver Public Schools, responded to a question about school age care. Juanita Sanchez, Denver Department of Human Services, also responded to a question from the committee. Senator Wham thanked the panel.

4:04 p.m. -- El Paso County

Barbara Drake, Deputy Director, El Paso County Department of Human Services, addressed the committee. She noted that the flexibility and the ability to apply for waivers have been important components of the success of their pilot program and noted that she would like to see other schools being able to apply for waivers as well. She urged the committee to work with the Welfare Reform Oversight Committee to develop a statewide strategy to provide quality child care. In response to a question from Representative Hefley, Ms. Drake noted that she has not been in favor of a statewide program for child care because she thinks that individual communities are unique and know what types of programs would work for them. Discussion ensued.

Kathy Howell, Early Childhood Supervisor for School District 11, addressed the committee. She spoke about some of the models the district uses for early childhood education programs. She responded to questions from the committee.

Deborah Lawrence, Executive Director, Child Care Connections, spoke to the committee and presented an $8 million plan for child care in El Paso County.

Diane Price, Executive Director Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, addressed the committee, noting that all of the pilots have made significant recommendations to the committee. She commented that most of them have emphasized that the pilot programs have been successful because they have been developed and implemented at the local level. The panel responded to questions from the committee. Senator Wham thanked the panel.

5:01 p.m.

Ms. Triolo-Moloney and the panel responded to several questions from the committee. Discussion ensued about waivers.

5:10 p.m.

The committee recessed.

Copies of all material distributed at the September 23 and 24 meetings are on file in the Office of Legislative Council Staff.

• Amanda O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Educare

• Bruce Karpas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Creme de la Creme

• Charles Shannon, Vice President of Programs, United Way

• Virginia Howey, Pinon Project -- Cortez, Colorado

• Chris Kreitzer, South Aurora Family Center

• Katherine Bair, Fremont County Family Center

• Deborah Howard-Brewer, Fort Collins Family Center

09:05 AM

Senator Wham called the meeting to order. All members were present. Senator Wham discussed Educare and the role they have played with a number of the persons who have come before the Committee. She stated that she had invited Amanda O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Educare Colorado, to make a presentation to the Committee on the mission and goals of Educare.


09:10 AM -- Presentation on the Mission of Educare Colorado - Amanda O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer, Educare Colorado

Senator Wham invited Ms. O'Neill to the table. Ms. O'Neill stated that child care has become an issue nationwide due to demographic change, quality, economics, and emphasis on early education. The cost to provide quality care is estimated at $8,000 annually, but the average payment is $5,000 - thereby leaving a $3,000 gap between cost and amount paid. Educare is undertaking the following tasks: (1) a parent and public education campaign; (2) working to improve the quality of existing child care programs; (3) resource development; and (4) evaluation. Educare wants to provide parents with the information to make good choices for their family.

Parent/Public Education Campaign -- Educare wants to provide parents with the information needed to make good choices in selecting child care for their children.

Child Care Quality Programs -- Educare is funding efforts to improve teacher training and accreditation, which it deems imperative in providing good quality.

Resource Development -- Ms. O'Neill noted that costs have to go up in all sectors to ensure quality, and these costs will be paid by parents, business, and government. Senator Wham asked if Educare had the goal of having the state subsidize early childhood education to the same extent it subsidizes higher education. Ms. O'Neill noted that Educare has not taken a position on this issue, but stated that three to four states are investing more resources in early childhood education, and making early childhood education a greater priority.

Evaluation -- Ms. O'Neill stated that Educare is evaluating classrooms with approximately $1.0 million in funding. Senator Linkhart asked how their evaluation efforts differ from other research done in this area; and noted that a wealth of information has already been collected. Ms. O'Neill responded that the quality components Educare looks for are parental involvement, teacher training and credentials, classroom environment, and accreditation. Educare has 30 classrooms in Denver, 20 in Jefferson and Gilpin counties, and is expanding into La Plata County, with the goal of being in eight communities statewide. Educare is financing these classrooms through business and philanthropic efforts. In Educare's partnership with Denver, Denver is using TANF funds to close the wage gap. It is hoped that the result of this effort will close the wage gap, and encourage teachers to remain in the profession and seek ongoing training and accreditation. Ms. O'Neill noted that Educare is working extensively with the Consolidated Child Care Pilot sites. In Jefferson County, Educare is investing in Triad.

Senator Arnold asked how Educare achieves parental involvement. Ms. O'Neill stated that Educare is looking at the opportunity to engage parental involvement, create the culture in the center, perhaps using contracts with the parents. Toni Latronica, Educare Colorado, was invited to the table to clarify parental involvement. Ms. Latronica noted that parental involvement cannot be mandated but it can be fostered and encouraged.

Senator Wham asked if Educare is using control groups to ensure that the four components are being met -- given the financial investment. Ms. O'Neill stated that Educare takes a mixed portfolio of providers, and that the highest quality comes from corporate and business sponsors, followed by nonprofits, private pay, and family child care homes. Educare is working to ensure that sampling will provide reliable data. Ms. O'Neill summarized by stating that even if parents can afford to pay, they cannot find the quality, and that numbers for the private sector are difficult to get a handle on.


09:53 AM -- Presentation on Private Sector Quality Child Care - Bruce Karpas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Creme de la Creme

Senator Wham invited Mr. Karpas to the table. Mr. Karpas gave a brief history of Creme de la Creme. It was founded 18 years ago in Houston, subsequently franchised, and he currently has four facilities across the country: Plano, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Naperville, Illinois; and Dallas, Texas. He provided a 12 minute video for the Committee -- it is the video shown to prospective parents.

Senator Wham asked Mr. Karpas to make some remarks about his observations on child care. Mr. Karpas responded that the number one role of the state is to educate parents about child care choices. He cited how Texas puts out a parent's guide to child care, which parents must read and sign. This guide is placed in each child's file at the licensed facility he/she attends. Mr. Karpas suggested that the state put money into an advertising campaign. He discussed the need to "incentivize" child care workers by giving them tax breaks. He further encouraged the Committee to give the Department of Human Services the resources it needs to clear up its licensing backlog which now is up to three months. He suggested that the licensing process for directors should be improved. It should not be done through the bureaucratic, anonymous process of stamping out applications. It should not be done by mail. Mr. Karpas stated that if centers had better directors the state would not need as many inspections. He requested that the application process for directors be personalized. Mr. Karpas asked the Committee to consider pre-student loans.

Mr. Karpas stated that he supports licensing, however there are problems. He suggested that the Department look at turnover in facilities, conduct exit interviews, and conduct surveys. He stated that minimum licensing standards need to be examined every day. He noted discrepancies in the states in which he has facilities concerning the classifications of children. He stated that only Colorado classifies a 2 to 2 1/2 year old as a toddler. Mr. Karpas noted that he uses a private investigation company, which is expensive, to do background checks. The company he contracts with provides a turnaround time of 48 hours. He stated that the CBI checks in the state take too long - up to three months. He suggested that the Committee explore ways of improving the CBI background checks. He uses the private company because of the turnaround time and the need to fill positions when they become vacant -- he cannot wait for three months.

Senator Pascoe asked what his fees were. Mr. Karpas responded that fees are based on program and age. The cost is the same for each child, but the child can go from between 2 and 5 days per week, and either full day of half day (half day is 2 hours per day). He noted that Creme de la Creme does not give scholarships, in part because he is a for-profit organization. He is hoping that one day there will be enough money in the company to provide scholarships and make his school available to low income children. Full day care for five days per week is $14,200 annually for an infant/toddler, approximately $2,000 less for children three and over.

Representative Hefley asked if he advertises. Mr. Karpas answered no. Creme de la Creme has great word of mouth. He noted that he has a waiting list of one year for infant and toddler care at his Colorado facility -- which has a capacity of 300 children.

Representative Alexander asked if Creme de la Creme served children with special needs or sick children. Mr. Karpas responded that his schools take special needs children, and that the facilities are ADA compliant. The facilities do not take sick children. In Colorado, regulations/rules require that a facility call a parent when a child's temperature hits 102.4 - the parent must come and pick the child up. He stated that he really does not want to run an infirmary.

Mr. Karpas indicated that his directors gave him a list of 17 licensing items that should be changed. Of these, the matter of ratios is top on his list. He prefers to do a staff to child ratio, not a teacher to child ratio. He noted that the ratios of teachers to children/staff to children needed to be examined. Senator Wham requested, and Mr. Karpas agreed to provide a list of licensing items to eliminate or modify within a week.

Senator Arnold asked what Creme de la Creme pays its teachers. Mr. Karpas responded that the pay for teachers is - $10 to $12 per hour; the director get $35,000 annually, plus stock in the company. Staff at Creme de la Creme can have their children attend at reduced rates or free of charge. He noted that the teachers should get more money than what is being paid. He thinks teachers are unappreciated. He cited that in Dallas, he kicked 12 parents out of the school for mistreating the teachers.

Representative Williams asked what the salary for aides and custodial staff is and what is the ratio. Mr. Karpas responded that the salary for aides and custodial is $6 to $8 per hour. The ratios at Creme de la Creme vary -- aides escort the children to the specialty teachers. There are six specialty teachers in the school and they get $12 per hour.

Representative Williams asked how he would establish good ratios to guide the Committee if they were to be changed. He noted he will provide some guidance, but not give away his business secrets.

Senator Wham asked what parents liked most about Creme de la Creme. He responded that the number one answer is security.



11:15 AM -- Presentation on Enterprise Zones and Child Care - Charles Shannon, Vice President of Programs, United Way

Senator Wham invited Mr. Shannon to the table to give his presentation on enterprise zones. The enterprise zone statutes allow the working poor to receive subsidized support for child care. The facilities do not serve just one market profile, but those who are private pay, welfare recipients, and working poor. The centers provide parenting skills programs. Mr. Shannon noted that now that the child care tax credit has been expanded statewide, Mile High United Way can go out and partner with others outside the metro Denver area. The new tax credit will be taken advantage of by entities throughout the state and will facilitate development of quality child care statewide.


11:26 AM -- Presentation by the Family Development Centers

Senator Wham invited the panel to the table. Virginia Howey, Pinon Project of Cortez, Colorado, began with a discussion of their program and the collaborative efforts going on in Cortez. Pinon Project partners with a number of organizations to meet the needs of families. They partner with mental health services to evaluate children at the center. They provide parenting classes, respite care, adult literacy, all under one roof for parents with significant needs. The family development centers fill the gaps. Representative Williams asked if they used CORRA, and to the duplicate efforts. Ms. Howey responded that the Pinon Project acts as a satellite of CORRA - they work hand in hand. The Pinon Project received $65,000 in state funds for FY 1999-00 -- which is the amount received by all the centers.


11:40 AM

Chris Kreitzer, South Aurora Family Center, began his presentation. The center is located at Buckingham Mall. The clients served by the center include homeless families and middle class families. Housing is a concern for many of his clients. The center does family advocacy - they work with the family to develop a plan, identifying the family's goals and needs. The center works with substance abuse counselors and teen pregnancy prevention efforts. The center offers several of their child care slots for special needs children which is a greatly needed. The center is open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The center does an adult literacy program through Americorp/Vista and the Aurora Public Schools. The center coordinates the "Toys for Tots" program at Christmas with the Marine Corps. Mr. Kreitzer noted that they are an umbrella agency that fills the gap, looking for solutions.


11:50 AM

Katherine Bair, Fremont County Family Center, Canon City, began her presentation. The Center has been operating for six years, and it focuses on prenatal care and children up to the age of 5. They do home visits, developmental screenings, and half the families in the county benefit from their services. Ms. Bair noted that parents come to the door, maybe looking for a crib, but the center then identifies their needs and helps them out. The center offers child care while parents take parenting classes and support groups for a variety of families. The center goes to the hospital when babies are born, ensure immunizations and well child checks, and provides resource coordination in the home. Their partners are the school districts, the community center boards, mental health center, and the department of social services. The center gets local funding from the county department of social services to work with families with a child at risk of out of home placement.

All the centers were asked if they duplicated services provided by other entities. All panel members responded no.


12:02 PM

Deborah Howard-Brewer, Fort Collins Family Center, began her presentation. The center opened after a year of planning. They work in northern Fort Collins due to an identified need; it is low income and 78% Hispanic. They do basic community assessments to determine what the families need. They do parent education classes throughout Larimer County, home visitations, prenatal checks, well baby checks, and an adult literacy program. Again, as all the others, they fill the gaps and do advocacy to help the family navigate, even through the legal system. The center works with schools to strengthen the bond between the parent and the school as a neutral party. They do after school supervision, and provide a positive socialization place for kids after school. Ms. Howard-Brewer urged the Committee to support continued funding for them, that for FY 1999-00 the centers received moneys from the Family Issues Cash Fund which will soon be depleted.

Senator Wham stated that funding needs in the Department of Human Services will be exceptional in the years ahead and although Representative Witwer will carry the bill authorizing family development centers, it will cost money. Senator Wham encouraged the panel to contact the representatives from their districts to visit their family development centers and learn all about what they do.


12:26 PM -- Committee Discussion for October 13th and 19th Meetings

Senator Wham asked each Committee member to try to visit a child care center and a family child care home. Committee discussion on topics for upcoming meetings ensued.


12:51 PM

The committee adjourned.

Copies of all material distributed at the September 23 and 24 meetings are on file in the Office of Legislative Council Staff.