NCJ Number
147127
Date Published
1992
Length
33 pages
Annotation
In assessing the impact of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, the U.S. General Accounting Office examined State activities conducted to ensure that providers meet child care standards, identified problems States may have in conducting these activities, and explored how CCDBG may affect State efforts to improve the quality of child care services.
Abstract
GAO found that many States face difficulties ensuring that all children receive care that meets minimum standards of health and safety. Specifically, several States have reduced on-site monitoring as a result of budget and staffing cuts and have tried less costly methods to monitor child care providers' compliance with the law. Many State officials expressed concern that CCDBG funds are insufficient to sustain their efforts at maintaining quality and that an influx of more CCDBG providers could increase caseloads and further erode the States' regulatory capacity. The GAO recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) assist the States by helping them evaluate the effectiveness of efforts directed at improving the quality of child care services and by disseminating information States can use to improve care. HHS should also assess the success of States in expanding service quantity as well as improving quality. 16 notes and 4 appendixes