Background material for a hearing on implementing regulations for two new child care programs is presented. The objective of the new programs is to provide care for children in low- or moderate-income families so that parents can work. The report was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the request of the Acting Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources. This document includes the CRS background report; statutory language for the Title IV-A At-Risk Child Care Program and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program, P.L.101-508; proposed regulations for each program; House of Representatives and Senate conference report provisions (H.R. 101-964) for the two child care programs; and selected comments received by the Department of Health and Human Services regarding its implementation regulations. Letters with comments are included from the House Committee on Education and Labor, Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, House Committee on Ways and Means, National Governors' Association, American Public Welfare Association, and National Conference on State Legislatures. Comments cover parental choice, federalism, limited use of flexible block grant funds, and eligibility. (LB)

Our overloaded child care system is failing children and families. The authors explain what children of different ages--and their families--need, and what kinds of programs are necessary in light of current social and economic realities.

In his opening statement at this hearing, committee chairman Senator Joseph Biden mentioned the National Child Protection Act of 1991; praised Oprah Winfrey's efforts to support programs and legislation to prevent sexual abuse of children; presented data on the incidence of sexual abuse of children in the home and in day care centers; and discussed the implementation of a national system of conducting background checks on individuals who apply for employment in child care occupations. Eight other senators who were members of the committee presented statements. Oprah Winfrey presented a statement in which she discussed the implementation of a background check system, explained how children who are sexual abuse victims often blame themselves for their abuse, and described the experiences of sexually abused children as they mature. Five other individuals offered verbal and prepared statements on the implementation of the background check system, presented data on child sexual abuse, and commented on issues related to the sexual abuse of children. (BC)