Over the years, VAFCCA has developed respect and expertise in working with lawmakers and regulators on issues and programs that promote quality child care. The Public Policy Committee (PPC) exists to educated policy makers about the critical role played by family child care providers in preparing children to develop life skills. PPC also exists to educate the general membership on the legislative and advocacy process. PPC members are expected to have in depth knowledge and experience as a family child care provider. Members are expected to understand the concept of building successful partnership, collaboration, and the advocacy role. The ability to identify resources and opportunities are products of the members’ ability to connect with others
Under the leadership of Silvia Mills, PP Committee Chair, VAFCCA has been very busy in the public policy arena. Our activity level noticeably expanded during fiscal 2004 and through 2005. Her collaborative efforts and that of other PPC Members expanded to volunteering their time to serve in a number of positions in one or more of the following areas: advisors, committee member, liaisons, or representatives with the listed agencies:
Coalition for Early Childhood Education
CACFP - Children and Adult Care Food Program
Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative Team
VAECE Virginia Early Childhood Education
VECCS Virginia Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems
Voices for Virginia Children
VAFCCA has realized the following benefits because of this expansion and the PPC members’ additional administrative responsibilities.
We need members to support our advocacy activities. Serving as an advocate results in great benefits and keeps one well informed while staying on top of the industry changes and challenges. To ensure longevity of quality childcare in family day homes, we all should be a part of the advocacy process. On a regular basis, members of the public policy committee are called up to review proposed changes or new regulations which invariably have an impact on our ability to deliver quality child care services. Partnership with these listed agencies has helped us to be better advocates with the following benefits:
A special thanks to Silvia and her committee members for the generous giving of their time and financial contributions.
Senate Bills which will go into effect July 1, 2007
SB888
An Act to amend and reenact § 63.2-1809.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to insurance notice requirements for family day homes; civil penalty. [S 888] Approved
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 63.2-1809.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 63.2-1809.1. Insurance notice requirements for family day homes; civil penalty.
A. Any person who operates a family day home approved by a licensed family day system, a licensed family day home, or a voluntarily registered family day home shall furnish a written notice to the parent or guardian of each child under the care of the family day home, which states whether there is liability insurance in force to cover the operation of the family day home; provided, that no person under this section shall state that liability insurance is in place to cover the operation of the family day home, unless there is a minimum amount of coverage as established by the Department
B. Each parent or guardian shall acknowledge, in writing, receipt of such notice. In the event there is no longer insurance coverage the person operating the family day home shall (I) notify each parent or guardian within 10 business days after the effective date of the change and (ii) obtain written acknowledgment of such notice. A copy of an acknowledgment required under this section shall be maintained on file at the family day home at all times while the child attends the family day home and for 12 months after the child's last date of attendance.
C. Any person who fails to give any notice required under this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each such failure.
Senate Bills which will go into effect July 1, 2006
SB704
Family Day Systems and Family Day Homes: Civil penalty; Requires any person who operates a Family Day Home approved by a licensed Family Day System, a licensed Family Day Home or a voluntarily family day home to furnish a written notice to the parent or guardian of each child under the care of the family day home stating (I) the amount of the liability insurance in force covering operation of day home or (I) the fact there is no liability insurance in effect. The bill also requires that such notice be acknowledged in writing and requires the operator to notify parents and guardians in the even the amount of insurance coverage decreases. Any person who fails to give the required notice shall be subject to a civil penalty of $ 500.00 for each such failure.
SB420
Family day homes; sex offenders prohibited. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for a person to operate a family day home if he knows that any of the home's employees or volunteers is convicted sec offenders. This Bill is identical to HB 1589
SB253
Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect
SB257
Child day care program exemption
SB421
National criminal background check. VAFCCA has been pushing for this for a while through our legislators Now Dateline has certainly has helped with this.
Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers, and educators of young children. It is celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. We are excited to report that this is a global event with varying type of recognition from individual to public events and medial coverage.
VAFCCA public Policy looked into the possibility of having this day as an official state holiday for child care providers. In light of our unsuccessful efforts, we stand with Senator Craig Deeds in sharing a reminder that it is within your power to arrange with our parents for this to be a personal day off. Thereby, allowing us the opportunity to participate in events and activities that are being held in our honor. This is a reminder to include this as a day off in future Parent-Provider contract and agreement. To learn more about Provider Day visit www.providerappreciation.com. Happy Provider Day!