BILL NUMBER:S7586

TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the social services law, in relation
to child care resource and referral program services

PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To increase the quality of child care by creating greater access to
trainings for legally exempt providers.

SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one of this bill would require Child Care Resource and
Referral Agencies to provide information on available training
opportunities to legally exempt providers at the time of enrollment
and re-enrollment.

JUSTIFICATION:

Professional development through trainings, credentialing programs,
and higher educational opportunities strengthen the quality of
providers. Creating more access to and awareness of training programs,
professional development activities, and other higher educational
opportunities is beneficial for providers and children alike, After
participating in educational opportunities, providers are more
effective and efficient when caring for children. Providers become
              

more knowledgeable about how to maintain a safe child care setting,
and are equipped to provide more enriching programming to the children
in their care. While child care providers are eager to take advantage
of professional development programs, they are often deterred by a
lack of information on available training.

Training can be especially beneficial to legally exempt providers who
enroll with Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&Rs) to
provide full-time care for up to 2 children. If a legally-exempt
provider participates in additional training, they may qualify for an
enhanced reimbursement rate CCR&Rs provide a convenient and
knowledgeable source of access to trainings for providers, and
interface with them regularly. Therefore, this bill would require
CCR&Rs to provide legally exempt providers with information on
available trainings at the time of enrollment and re-enrollment.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

This is a new bill.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediate.