Introduction

Department of Public Health: Consultative Services to Child Care Providers

Study Purpose

In February 2001, the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee's authorized a study of consultative services provided to Connecticut's licensed child care providers by the Department of Public Health (DPH). The study examined the department's compliance with C.G.S. Sec. 19a-82, which requires consultative services be provided to licensed child care providers throughout the state. The study also evaluated the delivery of consultative services by DPH and the effectiveness of such services on the ability of child care providers to attain and maintain compliance with state regulations.

DPH is the agency responsible for regulating child care facilities throughout the state. The tools used by the department to regulate child care facilities include:

• licensing providers who meet the health and safety standards set out in regulations;
• inspecting facilities to ensure continued compliance with these regulations; and
• enforcing the regulations by taking actions against providers who do not comply with them.

Distinct from these regulatory tools, DPH is required by C.G.S. Sec. 19a-82 to provide "consultative services to licensees and applicants for licenses to assist them to attain and maintain the standards established in regulation." This study examined the public health department's compliance with this specific requirement, evaluating the delivery of these services by the department and whether the services meet the technical assistance needs and demands of licensed child care providers.

The study scope approved by the committee outlines several areas of analysis. The scope calls for:

• examining the process used by DPH to assess child care providers' need for consultative services and determine if, and how, such services are provided;
• reviewing the availability and qualifications of DPH licensing staff to implement consultative services required by statute;
• determining if DPH uses consultative services from other agencies; examining the process used to obtain such services; and examining the process used to evaluate the services provided by other agencies; and
• evaluating the quality of consultative services provided by DPH to child care licensees and prospective licensees; analyzing whether service level meets need/demand.

Background

The Division of Community Based Regulation within DPH is responsible for regulating child care facilities. Budget expenditures for child care licensing totaled $2.77 million for state fiscal year 2000-01. Overall, 32 licensing specialists are responsible for regulating the roughly 5,400 licensed child care facilities in the state. More detailed background information is provided in Chapter I of the report.

Methodology

Information for this report was obtained through a variety of sources. Committee staff analyzed internal records from DPH for its child care licensing and enforcement programs. Interviews and discussions were held with DPH child care staff, providers, and various statewide child care associations. Committee staff accompanied DPH licensing specialists during inspections and technical assistance visits at child care centers, group homes, and family day care homes. A random sample of licensed providers was also surveyed. The committee held an informational hearing on this topic as well.

Report Organization

Chapter I outlines background information relating to the various types of child care services licensed by the state, the DPH licensing function, and budget and staffing data for child care licensing. Chapter II details the various technical assistance activities underway within the DPH child care regulation division. Chapter III describes the overall qualifications of child care licensing specialists and training initiatives for providing technical assistance. The issue of applying child care regulations in a consistent manner is examined in Chapter IV. Chapter V presents some of the key results of a survey distributed by committee staff to a sample of child licensed care providers throughout the state. Appendix A provides the full results of the committee staff survey of licensed child care providers regarding technical assistance.

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