For Immediate Release
Sept. 13, 2000
CONTACT: Kim Townley (502)564-2611
or Barbara Hadley Smith (502)564-6786

Governor’s Early Childhood Initiative to Improve Quality of Childcare, Governor and First Lady Visit Hopkinsville Head Start Program

HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (September 13, 2000) – Governor Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton went to the Booker T. Washington Head Start Program in Hopkinsville today to highlight their Early Childhood Initiative, KIDS NOW.

“We know that the experiences children have in their early years lay the foundation for later learning and the development of life skills,” Governor Patton said.  “It is our responsibility to make sure that these children are in safe, healthy environments with quality learning programs to give them the best start in life.”

KIDS NOW legislation, which was passed unanimously by the legislature, provides for an increase in the number of surveyors who license childcare centers, from nine to 44.  The Division of Licensed Child Care was created within the Cabinet for Health Services’ Office of Inspector General.   The expanded staff is being trained to provide quicker response to complaints, conduct more thorough surveys, and assist childcare providers who want to raise the quality rating of their centers.

The surveyors will operate out of offices in Hopkinsville, Louisville, Lexington, and London.

KIDS NOW also includes an Early Childhood Technical Assistance program that will offer mentoring to childcare providers who want to improve their programs.  Eighteen new positions have been created across the state for staff who will visit centers and family childcare homes to work with providers on site.

Professional development is another provision of KIDS NOW.   The initiative created 10 professional development counselors to be located at the Child Care Resource and Referral agencies across the state.  The counselors will work with the staff of childcare centers to develop a plan to increase their professional education and skills.  Scholarships will be available for those staff January 1, 2001.

Mrs. Patton spoke about the assistance that is available for families who need financial aid to pay for childcare.

"Childcare today in Kentucky equals the cost of tuition and housing at a state university.  Through the KIDS NOW program, families who meet income guidelines will receive help toward this significant cost.  We want parents to have peace of mind knowing their child is well cared for as they enter the workplace," said First Lady Judi Patton.

The eligibility criteria for the childcare subsidy will increase to serve more families on October 1.  A family of four that makes up to $28,133 would be eligible.

“In Kentucky, 66 percent of women with children under the age of 6 work outside the home,” said Governor Patton.  “That means a majority of our very young children are spending most of their days in childcare settings.  These programs are crucial to help them reach their full potential.”

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