1. A. The Department of Human Services shall collaborate with other appropriate agencies to develop by December 31, 1998, a comprehensive strategic plan for child care facilities.

2. B. The comprehensive strategic plan shall:

   1. 1. Set a goal to annually increase the number of new child care programs and thereby expand capacity to meet the need for child care;
   2. 2. Describe methods to reduce existing barriers to accessing child care financing;
   3. 3. Offer plans to develop new child care capital financing mechanisms;
   4. 4. Describe methods to integrate existing capital financing programs;
   5. 5. Develop a public information campaign to attract potential providers of child care services; and
   6. 6. Propose such other activities deemed appropriate for increasing the supply and quality of child care in this state.

3. C. As part of the development of the comprehensive strategic plan:

   1. 1. The Department shall, from funds available, develop a child care facility information database consisting of data on existing early childhood child care providers serving children including, but not limited to, regulated child care providers, Head Start and prekindergarten programs. The information in the database shall include, but not limited to:

      1. a. the types and number of programs,
      2. b. program location, including county,
      3. c. ages served,
      4. d. the capacity of the programs,
      5. e. the hours and calendar of program operations, and
      6. f. program rates;

   2. 2. County specific information on the number of children currently served shall be compared to the local projected need from:

      1. a. demographic information and waiting lists maintained for child care programs,
      2. b. local district estimates of child care needs for participants in the job opportunities and basic skills training program, and
      3. c. families eligible for child care subsidies;

   3. 3. Information shall be compiled regarding:

      1. a. funding sources and amounts for eligible families,
      2. b. health and safety grants,
      3. c. start-up and capital grants,
      4. d. child care resource and referral programs,
      5. e. any other public funding which is directed at increasing the number and size of early childhood programs, and
      6. f. any known private funding sources earmarked for capital, start-up or subsidies for child care providers;
   4. 4. The Department shall compile information on technical assistance activities presently available to existing and potential child care providers; and

   5. 5. On or before February 1, 1999, the Department shall submit a preliminary report to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate containing:

      1. a. a compilation of the existing data designated in this section,
      2. b. information available on private sector interest, involvement or plans for development of child care in this state, and
      3. c. information from child care resource and referral programs about the numbers of inquiries received from parents and businesses.

Added by Laws 1998, HB 2474, c. 386, § 2, emerg. eff. July 1, 1998.