Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood.
One major insight that I gained from my interviews is that middle income families are not having access to affordable child care like many low-income families are having. I have always been overly concerned with quality and affordable child care for low income families and never thought about what may be hard for other families who make larger salaries. Per my discussion with a Kim, program director from University of Illinois Child Care Center, states "her center is limited to grants and other funds because they do not service low-income families", "It is a catch 22 because it is hard for these families to make ends meet". Many middle income families make nice salaries but it is still not enough for them to have to pay for all of their child care expenses. She states her center faces hard hits when middle income families may have acess to quality care, however, with other financial responsibilities it can make it hard for them to pay $230/wk for child care. Kim also stated that a single parent who has a salary of $40,000/yr will not qualigy for the child care assistance program because of her income and family size. Per interview with Nataly Barrera, Adocate Coordinator at Illinois Action for Children, stated that some families have had to deny a pay increase just so they will still qualify for the child care assistance program. Many middle income families have to make choices like the example above when it comes to child care and they should not have to!!!!!
How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper
These interviews have influenced my decision about the topic I am going to do my research paper on. These interviews have allowed me to look at different concerns and perspectives. I have gained some insight about some of the concerns that other families are facing and also what are some current advocacy issues dealing with child care.
Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics
My area of interest is affordable and quality child care for all children. One specific topic, why can't guidelines for child care assistance programs decrease so that many more families can have access to the child care and assistance programs?
How can these guidelines be changed?
How to get more families involved with decision making about afordable child care issues?
Interviewed Professionals:
Nataly Barrera 7/12/12 11:00am Advocacy Coordinator, Illinois Action for Children, Chicago, IL
Kim Kull 7/13/12 2:25pm Program Director, UIC Child Care Center, Chicago, IL
Tyjuana,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for bringing this subject up about middle class parents and affordable childcare. About twenty plus years or so I was in this position. My husband was in the military as an officer, but with not enough pay, to afford daycare for my two young children at that time. Instead I actually took the initiative to teach my children myself. I got materials from the library, found a teacher store, and even got materials from Walmart, other materials and ideas I got from the local library. I think my childred did pretty well afterwards, but I would have loved them to visit a preschool instead in order to interact and socialize with other children. Yes, I could have gotten a job in order to earn money for preschool, but this would have been just enough for that and for taxes, so I decided to stay home with my children.
You taking the initiative to teach your children yourself and seeking out the resources on your own is VERY admirable, and I applaud you. :)
DeleteTyjuana,
ReplyDeleteI think you have raised a very important issue regarding affordable early childhood education. I know many families like the ones in your blog and Heike's who have had to make a decision on whether they're going to get a job so they can afford their children to go to preschool or if they're going to educate their children at home until they reach primary school age. I know many more families who do not feel they have an option to stay home because of their current financial obligations. They can't afford care but they can't afford not to work. I know this is a question that my husband and I mull over all the time when we discuss starting a family. With our mortgage, utilities, car payment and general living expenses we can't afford to live off of one income. I am very interested in what you come up with in your research on this subject because my husband and I, along with many other families, can certainly use some ideas on how to solve this problem. Thank you for taking on this issue!
Hi Tyjuana, your post was very informative. Funding for child care assistance programs is an issue that I am currently advocating for. I am a home child care provider and was told several months ago that I along with thousands of other child care providers would not get paid for three months until the new Fiscal year budget started in July. Fortunately, a Senate Bill was passed that allocated enough funds to pay providers for the rest of this fiscal year. I am aware of parents in my program who make too much to qualify for child care assistance subsidies. However, some of these middle class families are still struggling to make ends meet and child care costs can cause a financial strain. Therefore, I know first hand that the topic you are researching is important.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great topic to research because it affects SO many families. I couldn't imagine having to pay full child care. I am very fortunate enough to get the assistance from the state and because I work at the center, I get a discount. But to think that I would have to pay almost $500, if not more, for child care is beyond me. That is someone's rent, car payment, and a few bills. I wish you much luck with this topic. I'm sure you're going to have a ton of information!
ReplyDeleteI like your topic. I feel it is a shame that a family has to not take a pay increase so that they can afford quality care. In my opinion I think the state and federal goverment do not understand that the issue is helping children in the early stages of life so they can have succesful outcomes in education. I feel we as educators need to bring that to their attention so they can see that funding to families is very important so children and families can sustain a quality life. Childcare is education care and the children will and can be successful people if we help famlies with more funding.
ReplyDelete