For immediate release May 27, 1999
Contact: Melissa Forsythe 502-564-2611
or Cary Willis, Cabinet for Families and Children 502-564-6786

Pattons Promote A Dollar for Day Care

You can help make a difference in the lives of children of the working poor by pitching in a dollar when you renew your motor vehicle registration each year. Governor Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton today asked Kentuckians to donate a dollar, or more, when you renew your car plate at your county clerk’s office. House Bill 756, enacted by the 1998 Kentucky General Assembly, provides for the voluntary dollar contribution, on top of the regular registration fee, to help pay for child day care for low-income families above the poverty line.

"Child care is a tremendous need for families who’re struggling to provide for their families on paychecks that barely cover the rent and food", Governor Patton said. "We know that the early years of childhood are the most important for stimulating brain development and setting our children on the best path for learning. This voluntary program allows us to increase our level of assistance to those who most need it."

"Helping struggling families with child care is a benefit in the long run for all of us. It enables women who are trying to get off welfare to enter the work place and become productive citizens. It is a win-win for everyone, " said First Lady Judi Patton.

Families and Children Cabinet Secretary Dr. Viola Miller said the state currently assists families with child care payments whose income is within 160 percent of poverty guidelines. The donated dollars will be placed into a trust account to help cover families making more than that amount ($26,720 for a family of four.)

"As every working parent knows, child care is one of the biggest expenses there is. It is also one of the most important", Sec. Miller said. " That is why the Cabinet for Families and Children is increasing its spending on child-care subsidies to more than $100 million next year. With the new trust fund, we can serve even more people, as every Kentuckian has the opportunity to contribute to that pool of money."

Some private companies also are creating child care assistance accounts for children of lower income families.

Posters promoting the dollar -for- day- care fund are now available from the Cabinet for Families and Children by calling the Division of Child Care at 502-564-2524. The posters, carrying the slogan "Helping parents work for children", are being distributed to county clerks and county-judge executives statewide. Smaller versions will be included in the next LINK newsletter, which goes out to 8,000 child-care providers and early-childhood professionals around Kentucky.

Governor Patton recorded an audio public service announcement which is available for radio stations by dialing 800-633-1019 or by calling the Communications Office at 502-564-2611 ext. 327.

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