Robin Stephenson
For many years it has been a struggle for faith-based early education programs to minister to low-income families and their children without receiving financial support from the government. The year 1988 saw the introduction of the “ABC Bill,” which would have virtually eliminated religious centers unless they denied their religious heritage. Fortunately, this bill didn’t pass, and other legislation was introduced, this time with a new element, parental choice.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Dr. William J. Tobin, a great advocate for early education and president of William J. Tobin and Associates in Washington, D.C. Our discussion centered around the Child Care and Development Block Grant and the need for churches and faith-based organizations to promote, pursue, and accept parent vouchers for child care.
Parent childcare vouchers provide a constitutionally acceptable way for needy, low-income, and welfare emerging parents to choose the care situation they feel best meets their children’s needs. Because parents exercise an independent decision from a wide array of providers, they have the option of choosing a Christian based program. Because the funds are provided to the parent, such vouchers do not violate the First Amendment Establishment Clause regarding separation of church and state.
Here is what the Federal law says about parent vouchers for childcare:
- They are issued directly to parents and are considered assistance to the parent.
- They must be of a value equal to that of subsidy care provided through contracts.
- They must be sufficient in value to ensure equal access of needy children to services comparable to those that are available to unsubsidized children.
- They may be used for childcare services that are offered by religious providers and include worship and religious instruction as an integral part of the program.
- They must be usable as flexibly as cash between parents and eligible providers.
- They should support maximum parent choice through prompt issuance and speedy payment.
- They must be an actual option to all eligible parents so long as federal funds are available; and
- Payment for vouchers can be accomplished in a variety of ways: under certain conditions, as prepayments or deposits, with checks issued directly to parents; as two-party checks issued for parent/provider endorsement; or as checks paid directly to providers after the parent has certified by signature that the services have been provided.
For more information on the Child Care and Development Block Grant, contact the ACSI Early Education Services.
Pre-School Administration