Scope of Study

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: CONSULTANT SERVICES TO CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

The Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for regulating child day care services in Connecticut. Among its regulatory responsibilities, the department is required by law to "provide consultative services to licensees and applicants for licenses to assist them to attain and maintain the standards established in regulations..." (C.G.S. Sec. 19a-82)

The Division of Community Based Regulation is the unit within DPH responsible for ensuring state child care regulations are followed and enforced. As of February 2001, the division had 33 licensing specialists, plus four licensing supervisors, providing licensing and consultant services. One nursing supervisor and two nursing consultants also provide technical assistance, monitoring, and complaint investigation services.

A total of 1,632 child care centers (serving more than 12 children), 73 group homes (7-12 children), and 3,744 family day care homes (6 or fewer children) are licensed statewide. The capacity for center-based facilities totals 87,430 slots, while group homes have 864 slots, and family day care homes have a capacity of 22,308 slots. An additional 10,907 slots are available for before and after school care. The department spent $1.35 million on child care licensing efforts for FY 00, while the social services department provided an additional $706,000.

Area of Focus

The main focus of the study will be an examination of DPH's compliance with C.G.S. Sec. 19a-82. The study will evaluate the delivery of consultative services by DPH and the effectiveness of such services on the ability of licensed child care providers to attain and maintain compliance with state regulations.

Areas of Analysis

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

o Is there a correlation between consultative services and providers' compliance with regulations?

• Gauge any trends in consultative services since the 1996 Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee's study on child day care services.

Areas Not Included In Study

This study will not examine: 1) the demand or availability for child care services in Connecticut; 2) child care subsidy, grant, loan, or tax incentive programs; 3) child day care policy or planning/coordination; or 4) overall quality of child care services provided in the state.

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