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LETTER TO THE EDITOR |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Rosita Youngblood |
  
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TO: HARRISBURG PATRIOT NEWS
June 10, 2008
Dear Editor:
In response to your recent article relating to problems in family day-care homes that have contributed to serious injuries and death of children, I want to emphasize the importance of changing state law to improve the monitoring and inspection of these programs.
Current enforcement of regulations is weak because state law does not require state inspections as a condition of operating a family day-care home. In fact, 85 percent of all homes go uninspected. To correct that problem, I introduced H.B. 2485 last month to make sure the state inspects each home at least once every two years.
Since a family day-care certificate is valid for two years, it makes sense to inspect these day-care homes at least once during that two-year period. In addition, the bill would require the state to develop time lines for responding to complaints based on the risk of harm to children in the home.
I will be working with my colleagues in the House to improve the oversight of family day-care homes and better protect the health and safety of thousands of children receiving care in these settings.
Sincerely,
Rosita C. Youngblood
State Representative
198th Legislative District