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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Robert Himmelsbach, BA, Carmen Paris, MPH, and Richard Tobin, MS, MPA. Philadelphia Department of Public Health, 2100 W Girard Ave, Bldg #3, Philadelphia, PA 19130, 215-685-2782, robert.himmelsbach@phila.gov

In the absence of any city-wide agency providing coordination of Childcare regulation, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health elected to initiate the process by creating an intra agency Task Force comprising both organized and independent provider representatives and members of Departmental Divisions both regulatory and with child health concerns to discuss issues arising from interpretation of regulations and to answer questions from the industry representatives. Eventually, other regulatory bodies on both the City (Department of Licenses and Inspections) and State (Department of Public Welfare) levels were added to the discussion, allowing not only industry questions regarding regulations, but interagency comparison of regulatory overlaps and gaps, resulting in amended or new interpretations acceptable across all interested parties. This collaborative effort has resulted in re-thinking and even rescinding of regulator's original interpretations of some rules to the advantage of the childcare providers, and a better acceptance of those rules by the industry. A pilot project, attempting to bring “Unregulated” Relative and Neighbor care providers (4,621 in Philadelphia) under regulation, was attempted in Fall of 2005. Eighty “unregulated” care providers were identified in a six zipcode area and were sent mailings explaining the requirements for licensing and inspection. Follow-up telephone call attempts were made with 36 (45%) being no-contact attempts. Of those reached, 7 no longer provided care, and 4 did not qualify for regulation. Of the 33 who qualified and were contacted, 25 are now in process of becoming regulated care providers and another 8 indicated they intended no further action.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the public and private agencies concerned with child care health and safety.
• Recognize the problems presented by unregulated care providers.
• Describe the difficulties in transitioning unregulated care providers to licensed providers.

Keywords: Child Care, Regulations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation