HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrange County Child Care Task Force - 11-14-2006, Item 7b ORANGE COUNTY, NC 3
ORANGJCOTJNTY
CHILD CARF TASK
FORCE
CHILD CARE IN ORANGE COUNTY
ORANGE COUNTY
CHILD CARE TASK FORCE
BACKGROUND
On November 29,2005,a special briefing for Orange County employers on the impact of child care
on today's workforce was sponsored by the Orange County Board of Commissioners and other local
organizations. The purpose of this briefing was to begin a community discussion about the current
child care resources and the needs of children in our community.. The briefing included information
about the economic impact of child care on businesses and some of the options currently available to
employers. Commissioners Foushee and Carey attended the briefing. At the end of the meeting,
Commissioner Foushee recommended that the Board of Commissioners appoint a task force with
broad representation including employers and charge the group with raising community awareness,
encouraging greater financial participation by the private,business and public sectors in providing
child care resources,and championing workplace support for children and families.
During the BOCC annual retreat and work sessions,the Commissioners further discussed
establishing a Task Force to study the various issues related to child care. The Commissioners
indicated their interest and support for this concept and provided additional input about the purpose
of the task force.
Based on this information,the Commissioners established the Orange County Child Care Task
Force. The following is the charge given to this task force.
• To create community awareness of and support for the benefits of early childhood education
• To increase private,business and public financial contributions for child care subsidies or
scholarships
• To improve workplace support for children and families
The Task Force members include individuals representing university,business,child care providers,
schools,non-profit,and local government interests.Attachment A is a list of those organizations and
persons serving on the task force.
INTRODUCTION
This report provides a broad picture of the significant contribution that child care subsidies make to
working families receiving them,to the children who benefit directly from the care,and to the
economic well-being of the county as a whole. It also contains discussion of the issues examined,
documents that describe the current resources and current needs for child care subsidies,and a
description of the considerable economic advantage for both families and businesses that child care
subsidies provide. Finally,this report provides recommendations for the BOCC on continuing to
lead the way in providing affordable child care for Orange County residents.
WHY IS CHILD CARE NECESSARY?
Child care is an important and necessary part of the lives of most working families in Orange County.
Parents or guardians may utilize child care for a variety of reasons.The parent(s) may work full or
part-time,attend school,have an illness necessitating child supervision,or require a break from the
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demands of child care. Without available child care,a parent/guardian may be in danger of losing a
job or forced to leave a child in less than ideal conditions. For the majority of families there are
relatively few options for safe and secure child care. Families may utilize relatives,babysitters,and
neighbors,but most tend to seek more permanent solutions in the form of licensed child care homes
or centers.
COSTS OF PRIVATE CARE
There are several types of licensed child care available;the type of care appropriate for one family
may not be the best for another. A child care home is licensed to care for five or fewer preschool
age children,and an additional three school age children. Licensing as a center is required when six
or more children are cared for in a residence or when three or more children are in care in a building
other than a residence. Additionally,many schools,both public and private,offer before and after
school care.
In order to increase the quality of child care in North Carolina,in September 2000,the Division of
Child Development issued star rated licenses to all eligible Child Care Centers and Family Child Care
Homes.1 The star rated license is a voluntary licensing system where a child care program can earn
points in two different areas:
• Program Standards
• Staff Education
Programs that are meeting higher standards can receive recognition for their efforts;and families can
use this information to search for a'child care program.
The increased focus on quality has led costs to rise sharply in the last fifteen years. In 1991,the
average cost for a child to attend private day care was $239. In 2001,monthly child care costs for an
infant,the most expensive children to care for,was in the neighborhood of$700. Today,parents can
pay over$1100/month for an infant to receive full-time day care. Care for preschool and school-age
(part-time) children is less,although it is important to note that in Orange County the monthly cost
of child care for all age groups,on average,ranges from S800 to$1,100.
These costs put private care out of the reach of most low-and middle-income families.
FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY SUBSIDY RESOURCES
The subsidy programs,offered by all North Carolina counties and financed with public money, are
the only hope that low-income families have of securing this quality, costly care. Parents making less
than a prescribed income,currently based on 75% of state median income for most funds,and
meeting certain eligibility criteria may be eligible for help to pay part of their child care costs. The
amount of funding allocated to each county in North Carolina is determined by legislation and is
directly affected by the amount of funding in the federal budget. In Orange County the majority of
this funding is administered by the Department of Social Services. Child Care Services Association
administers 1.8 million dollars for scholarships with funding from Smart Start,UNC,United Way
and other funding sources.
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If a family meets the eligibility criteria for the Orange County Department of Social Services,a
portion of the cost of child care will be paid for them.Parents are free to choose a child care
arrangement that best fits their needs as long as the provider chosen participates in the Subsidized
Child Care Program. The amount the state pays for child care depends on the family's situational
criteria,the family's income,and the cost of the child care provided. (See Attachment B for state
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market rates paid by Orange County). Most families must qualify based on need and income,and are
required to pay a percentage of child care costs based on their countable monthly income. The
percentage depends on the number of people in the family,but ranges from,8 to 10 percent of
income.
As mentioned above,additional sources of subsidy come from specialized funding that may target
specific groups. Examples of this type of funding are Smart Start,More at Four,the UNC
Chancellor's Fund,and the additional funding allocated by the Board of County Commissioners in
the Orange County budget.
WAITING LISTS
In recent years,the costs of and need for care have become so high that the demand for the subsidy
system has far outweighed the supply. In Orange County,when insufficient funds are available to
meet demand,waiting lists are implemented.
There have been long child care subsidy waiting lists for the last few years,with Fiscal Year 2005-
2006 proving to be the worst. Not a single child was taken off of the waiting list at Social Services
between March 2005 and June 30,2006,so that some families had been waiting over a year to receive
subsidy. While funding to Social Services has increased the last few years,the increase was not
enough to cover all the families requiring subsidy when rising costs are taken into account. The state
budget crisis has also affected funds available through Smart Start,causing them to either hold steady
or decline in recent years. At the same time,child care providers in Orange County worked very
hard to improve their quality by sending more of the staff to school,hiring better educated staff,
improving their child-to-staff ratios and earning higher star ratings. To support these changes in
quality,they needed to increase their tuition rates for care. Higher tuition rates mean higher payment
rates for child care subsidy. Higher costs per child per month without a commensurate increase in
funds available has meant that fewer children can be served and waiting lists have increased. It also
means that fewer parents are able to afford the costs of care on their own.
The parent(s)in the majority of families both receiving subsidy and waiting are employed. The
income generated by these working parents is simply not enough to be able to meet all the family's
basic needs and afford child care. (See Attachment C for a list of the top employers of parents who
are waiting for or currently receive Child Care Subsidy through the Orange County Department of
Social Services.)
Child care subsidy waiting lists remain a critical issue for Orange County. Additional funds for fiscal
year 2006-2007 were allocated by the state and the Board of County Commissioners in Orange
County so that families who have been waiting the longest are now receiving subsidy. While Orange
County is currently serving roughly 600 children in the subsidy program,there are still over 150
children in Orange County who are eligible for subsidy assistance,but are not receiving it due to lack
of funds. These children and their families are waiting.
DISCUSSION
ISSUES
Because of the various backgrounds and interests of the Task Force Members, subcommittees were
created to allow participants to identify issues and attempt to solve problems specifically relevant to
their pursuits. The consumer subcommittee consisted of county-wide focus groups offered on two
separate evenings during the week,one in Hillsborough and one in Chapel Hill.The child care
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provider subcommittee consisted of a discussion held at the Child Care Providers Association June
Meeting. The business subcommittee met on three occasions at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber
of Commerce. The committee consisted of large and small employers from the northern and
southern portions of the county. For a list of all employer participants,please see Attachment D.
The following is a list of issues identified by the various subcommittees.
• The number one issue related to subsidy is the lack of sufficient funding so as to assure that
all eligible families can receive needed service in a timely manner.
• Waiting for subsidy is a hardship on families trying to work.
• For parents with no child care and no way to afford the high costs,high quality is not as
important as a safe place for the children) that allows the parent to gain or maintain
employment.
• Costs for child care are too high.
• Families need support from employers.
• Even a small amount of financial assistance would make a difference between working and
losing a job.
• Orange County Government should explore the possibility of a county-run center for
county employees and/or residents.
• Providers are paid rates for subsidy that are lower than what private paying parents are being
charged.
• Continuity of care for children should be a priority.
• Employers are interested in child care so that they can have dependable employees who
attend work regularly and who can focus on their jobs.
• There are many employers who are willing to support employees'child care needs,and who
may be able to provide on-site child care or other support.
• All government employers in Orange County should provide some type of support for child
care subsidies and be models for other employers.
• There are various models for employers to provide support for employees'child care needs
including sponsorships,onsite child care centers and flexible spending programs.
• Some of the eligibility requirements of the subsidy program may actually penalize employees
if they take advantage of employer financial incentives.
• Families whose income falls outside of the guidelines for scholarships or subsidies also have
financial issues in attaining quality child care.
• Government should explore ways to incent private enterprise to aid employees with child
care.
While participants did not agree on all issues,the one common thread through all discussions was the
need for additional money for child care subsidies.
SOLUTIONS
Based on discussions and feedback from the subcommittees outline above as well as on the charge
given to the committee,the Task Force focused efforts on exploring possibilities for increasing
private,business and public financial and in-kind contributions and support for child care.
The Task Force worked with local businesses and local business leaders to determine what kinds of
information employers would find helpful when attempting to assist employees with their child care
needs. The three main ideas that the business community expressed interest in were exploring
different benefit models that might be tailored to suite individual business needs,investing in
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scholarship and/or funding models that would allow businesses to contribute to existing subsidy
programs for the benefit of their own employees or for the benefit of all,and building or
contributing to the building of on-site centers designed to serve the needs of the business's
employees.
BENEFIT MODELS
There are several benefit models that employers can utilize to pay or help employees pay for child
care expenses. Some,like the"cafeteria plans"are utilized more often by smaller businesses or as a
portion of the benefit package at a larger employer. Standard.benefit packages are more widely used
and are found at most larger businesses.
Internal Revenue Code Section 125 describes an arrangement by which an employer establishes a
plan so employees may choose to reduce pay before taxes (pre-tax contributions),thereby avoiding
tax on those dollars used to purchase benefits.The amount set aside is exempt from federal and state
income taxes and FICA (Social Security) and Medicare taxes for the employee,and it is exempt from
the Social Security and Medicare payroll tax match for the employer.
Benefits that may be included in a Section 125 Plan include medical,dental,vision,group-term life,
disability,and dependent care assistance.In Code Section 125,the IRS refers to these types of plans
as "cafeteria plans."The term"cafeteria plan"is used by the IRS to describe any arrangement in
which a participant has a choice between cash (taxable) and benefits (pre-tax).
The most common types of Section 125 Plans are explained below:
Insurance Premium Conversion:for payment by the employee of a portion of the cost for qualified
insurance benefits,such as health,disability,or dental.
Flex Plan or Flexible Benefit Plan:Premium Conversion with Reimbursement Accounts (Medical,
Dependent Care,Adoption Assistance).
Full-Flex Plan or Cafeteria Plan: a wide choice of benefits,usually with employer credits that the
employee may allocate toward the cost of one or more benefits (including cash).
In addition to these"cafeteria"style plans,employers may opt to provide child care costs as a direct
benefit in a standard plan, similar to health,dental and life insurance plans offered by many large
employers. In these cases, employees without children would get none of the benefit,much like an
employee who does not use the employer health plan.
SCHOLARSHIP AND OTHER FUNDING MODELS
For businesses that are not able to adjust their benefit plans,scholarship and other funding models
are another option for assisting employees with child care needs.
Voucher Model..Employers contract with child care providers or child care centers in the community
for services for their employees.Parents are given vouchers for all or part of their child care costs
and the child care programs redeem the vouchers for payment through the employer.
Reimbursement Model..Employees choose the child care arrangement best suited to their needs (child
care center, family child care home,after-school program) and then receive a reimbursement from
the company for some portion of the costs.
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Purchase of Space:The employer arranges to"own"a specified number of spaces in a local child care
program.Parent fees may cover most or all of the cost of any spaces used,but the company typically
covers all or a portion of the cost of the unused spaces so that the program can afford to keep the
spaces open for the company.
Consortium Model:A number of employers come together on an industrial or geographic basis and
pool resources to conduct joint child care projects. Consortium members generally share start-up
costs and in return receive priority enrollment for their employees'children.
Sometimes a specific number of slots are set aside for each company. Operating costs,however,are
usually funded through a combination of parent fees and contributions from the employers.Member
corporations may choose to subsidize their employees'fees through a voucher or reimbursement
program(see first option).
On-Site or Off-Site Centel:.An on-site or off-site center sponsored by an employer at the work site or at
another location.The center can be operated by the employer or by a nonprofit or for-profit child
care provider.Employers usually pay all start-up costs;any operating losses that occur in the early
stages of the center before it is fully enrolled;and some portion of the ongoing operational expenses.
Parent fees cover the balance of the center's operating expenses.
CURRENT PRACTICES
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There are currently several Orange County employers that have established child care support for
their employees and/or are doing innovative things to provide additional money for child care in the
county.
Subsidy Reimbursement:
Employers can pay back in to the subsidy system for subsidy dollars used by their employees.
Orange County Government currently participates is this program and is helping to free up
subsidy dollars for other families.
On-Site Child Care:
Employers run centers on-site for their employees, often at a reduced rate.
Carol Woods has an on-site five star center that is run by the YMCA. The center accepts age eligible
children of employees and is subsidized at a rate of$225/month for Carol Woods'employees. There
is no cost for children of YMCA employees to attend the center. The Center is also open to non-
Carol Woods affiliated children between the ages of three and five at a regular rate.
UNC and UNC Health operate Victory Village,a child care center that serves students and
employees of the university and the hospital. This particular center does not subsidize employees
and students because of the scholarship program offered by UNC.
SAS,Inc. a Cary-based corporation partnered with Bright Horizons to run its two on-site child care
centers,and two near-site centers. The day-to-day operations are managed by Bright Horizons,a
child care center. SAS subsidizes the cost of child care in the centers for its employees,so that they
play a fiat rate of$300 a month.
Also partnering with Bright Horizons in the State of North Carolina are GlaxoSmithKline,Blue
Cross/Blue Shield,IBM,Duke University,and Wachovia.
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Scholarship Funds/Matching Funds:
Employers set up scholarship funds so that their employees get help to pay for child care. This is
similar to the government run subsidy program,but the funds are private,and are earmarked for the
employees of a specific business. These programs can be managed by the same groups that manage •
regular subsidy funds;Orange County Social Services and Child Care Services Association. The
amount of money committed by the employer may also be matched by Orange County under the
Department of Social Services scholarship plan.
UNC works with Child Care Services Association to fund scholarships for students and university
employees. Students give to their own scholarship fund via activity fees, and the university donates
money to directly subsidize eligible employees.
Direct Donations:
Direct donations can be made to subsidy programs to help alleviate the waiting by all families. This
method is used more often by public entities.
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The Town of Chapel Hill donates $10,000 annually to Child Care Services Association to support
child care in Orange County.
The Town of Carrboro donates $5,000 annually to Child Care Services Association to support child
care in Orange County.
Underwriting::
Costs of starting up or running a child care program can be underwritten by donating space,utilities,
etc.to help lower costs of care.
Orange County currently donates space utilized by several child care centers in the county,including
Cedar Grove Day Care Center and Community School for People Under 6.
Benefit Options:
Many employers in Orange County, including Orange County Government, offer flexible spending
accounts and/or other benefit plans to their employees that aid families in meeting their child care
needs.
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES
Based on the information above provided to the Task Force, the following possible strategies were
identified.
1. Seek additional funds for subsidy including requests to government entities and private
funding organizations.
2. Develop partnerships with employers to create additional opportunities to maximize
resources. This may include sponsorships,matching funds,benefit packages,direct
contributions for subsidies or direct provision of child care.
3. Identify alternative incentives available for employers to provide to their employees that will
not adversely impact any subsidy payments. Provide information to all employers on
subsidy rules and these alternatives.
4. Continue to explore other child care models that may work for local employers.
5. Initiate a marketing campaign to inform employers of the role that child care plays in their
workplace and educate employers regarding options to assist their employees in securing
affordable,quality care.
6. Plan for child care sites at new large developments.
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7. Explore the possibility of child care sites at public schools,and plan for these sites when
building new schools.
8. Explore expediting processes,tax incentives,and/or no interest loans for new child care
programs trying to open up.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the subcommittee reports and the initial charge of the Task Force,the group compiled the
following list of recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.
1. Establish a baseline for subsidy programs so that performance can be measured. Include
total subsidy dollars,average length of time on wait list before receiving assistance,and total
number of unique funders.
2. Continue to seek additional support for child care subsidies from all county employers.
3. Request that the local chambers of commerce continue work with local businesses and
county agencies to educate and include more employers in creative problem solving
regarding child care.
4. Explore•financial and nonfinancial incentives,including but not limited to tax breaks,special
recognition, etc.,for employers who assist employees with child care needs.
5. Request that county staff work with schools,developers,UNC,Twin Creeks,Carolina
North,Durham Technical Community College and other entities that may be expanding
their sites so that child care needs will be considered during new development.
6. Request that county staff work on efforts to educate the public on the value of early child
development.
7. Agencies who provide subsidy money should explore issues of access,including but not
limited to common applications.
8. Request that Orange County Government,UNC,Town of Chapel Hill,Town of Carrboro,
and other agencies,at a minimum,maintain their current level of support.
It is recommended that the Social Services Board report back to the Board of County
Commissioners annually on the activities that have occurred and on the progress being made in these
areas,particularly on the effort to increase financial support for subsidy programs.
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Child Care Task Force Members
Appointed Positions Name
Board of County Commissioners (2) Valerie Foushee
Steve Halkiotis (Alternate)
Orange County Department of Social Services, Director Nancy Coston
Orange County Partnership for Young Children, Director Michele Rivest
Child Care Services Association, Executive Director Sue Russell
Superintendent, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Neil Pedersen
Superintendent, Orange County Schools Shirley Carraway
Town of Hillsborough Brian Lowen
Town of Chapel Hill Cindy Wilkins
Town of Carrboro Mark Chilton
Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough(2) Margaret Wood Cannell
Tom Underwood
Chamber of Commerce, Chapel Hill-Carrboro (2) Aaron Nelson
Barbara Jessie-Black
Tracy Hager
Orange County Economic Development, Director Dianne Reid
Orange County Community Services Director Sharron Hinton
UNC/UNC Hospital Jeanne Wakefield
Lorri Allison
Day Care Provider (2) Marguerite Stimpson
Kate Sanford
Anna Mercer-McLean
Day Care Consumer/Citizen(4) Rachel Hawkins
Maria Sherburne
Juliellen Simpson-Voss
Brandy Fowler
Support Staff Tina Broadway No
Lindsey Dennis
Subsidized Child Care Rates for Child Care Centers(100% Rates)
Effective October 1,2006
One Star Rates Two Star Rates Three Star Rates Four Star Rates Five Star Rates
Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School-
Toddler Year-Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age Toddler Year-Year- Age Toddler Year-Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age
County Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates*
Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rates
Alamance $402 $379 $356 $335 $422 $390 $368 $346 $585 $541 $515 $392 $600 $569 $537 $409 $641 $609 $575 $430
Alexander $463 $402 $379 $382 $486 $410 $386 $390 $585 $551 $515 $448 $617 $581 $528 $468 $671 $622 $563 $491
Alleghany $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Anson $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Ashe $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Avery $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Beaufort $437 $403 $379 $356 $445 $418 $386 $363 $585 $551 $517 $448 $617 $581 $543 $468 $671 $622 $582 $491
Berth $433 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 '$541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Bladen $424 $390 $368 $260 $445 $410 $386 $273 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476_
Brunswick $437 $402 $379 $368 $458 $422 $398 $386 $602 $560 $528 $455 $619 $592 $543 $468 $671 $625 $582 $491
Buncombe $379 $356 $335 $335 $398 $374 $351 $351 $585 $477 $456 $503 $617 $504 $482 $525 $672 $537 $522 $555
Burke $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $386 $388 $600 $555 $396 $406 $615 $569 $423 $435
Cabarrus $446 $392 $366 $356 $469 $412 $384 $374 $624 $564 $493 $410 $668 $595 $519 $422 $733 $638 $560 $443
Caldwell $437 $312 $312 $289 $445 $328 $328 $304 $585 $541 $515 $441 $600 $563 $528 $460 $614 $604 $541 $483
Camden $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Carteret $424 $303 $303 $299 $445 $318 $318 $314 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $554 $476 _
Caswell $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471 _
Catawba $379 $379 $351 $325 ' $398 $390 $369 $341 $585 $419 $402 $449 $600 $442 $422 $465 $627 $477 $452 $483
Chatham $490 $413 $460 $346 $500 $434 $483 $363 $635 $585 $520 $582 $676 $622 $552 $612 $702 $641 $571 $620
Cherokee $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Chowan $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Clay $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Cleveland $424 $312 $325 $312 $458 $328 $342 $328 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $641 $577 $560 $476
Columbus $424 $289 $289 $323 $445 $304 $304 $340 $585 $541$515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $541 $476
Craven $437 $330 $312 $312 $445 $346 $328 $328 $585 $543 $518 $441 $623 $573 $547 $460 $679 $615 $590 $483
Cumberland $415 $366 $335 $348 $424 $384 $351 $366 $585 $541 $515 $456 $623 $569 $528 $477 $679 $611 $568 $501
Currituck $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541$515 $441 $614 $563 $528 $460 $668 $604 $566 $483
Dare $437 $402 $379 $335 $445 $410 $386 $341 $585 $551 $539 $448 $617 $581 $567 $468 $671 $622 $610 $491
Davidson $366 $356 $356 $312 $384 $374 $368 $322 $585 $541 $515 $433 $601 $555 $528 $453 $657 $591 $556 $476
Davie $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $551 $527 $448 $617 $581 $555 $468 $671 $622 $596 $491
Duplin $424 $289 $312 $289 $445 $304 $328 $304 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $614 $573 $541 $471
Durham $544 $469'$446 $419 $571 $492 $469 $440 $733 $719 $642 $585 $762 $731 $666 $601 $794 $765 $697 $622
Edgecombe $424 $402 $368 $281 $445 $422 $386 $295 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Forsyth $433 $423 $388 $339 $454 $445 $408 $355 $585 $475 $447 $398 $602 $501 $472 $416 $654 $540 $508 $438
Franklin $437 $403 $379 $335 $445 $412 $386 $341 $598 $551 $515 $448 $617 $581 $533 $468 $671 $622 $570 $491
Gaston $379 $370 $335 $348 $398 $388 $351 $366 $585 $548 $515 $441 $606 $579 $535 $460 $658 $623 $576 $483
Gates $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573$548 $471
Graham $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Granville $437 $402 $402 $356 $458 $422 $422 $374 $639 $551 $556 $448 $685 $581 $587 $468 $754 $622 $632 $491
Greene $424 $390 $368 $281 $445 $410 $386 $295 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Guilford $455 $437 $392 $392 $478 $458 $412 $412 $576 $547 $519 $491 $618 $578 $548 $512 $679 $623 $590 $538
Halifax $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $541 $476
Harnett $424 $335 $312 $312 $445 $351 $328 $328 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $646 $589 $547 $476
*The 100%rate represents the monthly rates for summer, holidays,teach work days and inclement weather for school-age children. 8-25-06
Subsidized Child Care Rates for Child Care Centers(100% Rates)
Effective October 1,2006
One Star Rates Two Star Rates Three Star Rates Four Star Rates Five Star Rates
Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-6 School-
Toddler Year.Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age Toddler Year-Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age
County Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates*
Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rates
Haywooc $437 $402 $375 $353 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $395 $614 $563 $537 $413 $668 $604 $578 $435
Henderson $437 $402 $335 $289 $445 $410 $351 $304 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $532 $460 $668 $604 $572 $483
Hertford $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $541 $471
Hoke $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $600 $555 $528 $460 $627 $568 $541 $483
Hyde $437 $437 $437 $437 $459 $459 $459 $459 $585 $541 $515 $459 $614 $563 $537 $477 $668 $604 $578 $501
Iredell $437 $379 $392 $339 $458 $398 $412 $355 $676 $635 $583 $557 $727 $673 $615 $571 $804 $727 $664 $585
Jackson $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Johnston $402 $379 $356 $321 $422 $390 $368 $333 $605 $556 $520 $418 $658 $586 $547 $437 $709 $628 $586 $458
Jones $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Lee $433 $402 $312 $312 $445 $410 $328 $328 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $528 $460 $668 $604 $566 $483
Lenoir $424 $312 $312 $289 $445 $328 $328 $304 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $538 $465 $668 $604 $566 $483
Lincoln _ $437 $402 $356 $356 $455 $422 $374 $374 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $555 $528 $460 $668 $580 $547 $483
Macon $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $541 $471
Madison $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $5411$515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Martin $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $543 $476
McDowell $433 $390 $368 $281 $445 $410 $386 $295 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Mecklenburg $536 $490 $477 $423 $562 $515 $501 $445 $666 $654 $616 $538 $693 $679 $639 $556 $723 $698 $657 $567
Mitchell $437 $392 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Montgomery $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $562 $471
Moore $437 $402 $356 $335 $445 $410 $368 $346 $585 $541 $515 $384 $600 $555 $530 $399 $614 $568 $570 $420
Nash $339 $330 $312 $312 $355 $346 $328 $328 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $624 $581 $554 $476
New Hanover $428 $415 $392 $383 $450 $436 $412 $403 $586 $549 $549 $471 $608 $570 $560 $478 $637 $595 $587 $494
Northampton $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Onslow $346 $346 $329 $312 $370 $359 $346 $328 $585 $541 $515 $433 $627 $575 $528 $453 $689 $624 $543 $476
Orange $513 $423 $446 $390 $539 $445 $469 $410 $866 $735 $687 $534 $909 $764 $729 $565 $954 $801 $761 $585
Pamlico $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Pasquotank $424 $390 $368 $281 $445 $410 $386 $295 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $541 $476
Pender $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $544 $460 $668 $604 $586 $483
Perquimans $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $557 $471
Person $424 $390 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $570 $476
Pitt $423 $402 $388 $379 $432 $410 $396 $386 $598 $555 $528 $448 $638 $584 $556 $468 $696 $626 $596 $491
Polk $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $603 $541 $520 $443 $616 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Randolph $356 $335 $335 $299 $374 $351 $351 $314 $585 $541 $515 $441 $602 $555 $528 $460 $653 $580 $554 $483
Richmond $424 $390 $289 $268 $445 $410 $304 $281 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $614 $568 $541 $471
Robeson $289 $289 $276 $276 $304 $304 $289 $289 $585 $541 $530 $446 $632 $575 $550 $454 $701 $624 $609 $485
Rockingham $437 $312 $312 $289 $445 $328 $328 $304 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528, $453 $616 $571 $541 $476
Rowan $433 $335 $335 $312 $445 $351 $351 $328 $585 $541 $433 $449 $623 $563 $459 $469 $679 $604 $498 $492
Rutherford $424 $312 $312 $214 $445 $328 $328 $225 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $558 $476
Sampson $424 $312 $276 $356 $445 $328 $289 $374 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $568 $543 $471
Scotland $424 $390 $289 $356 $445 $410 $304 $374 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $547 $471
Stanly $437 $356 $312 $303 $445 $374 $328 $318 $585 $541 $517 $441 $627 $575 $554 $467 $679 $611 $588 $483
Stokes $437 $402 $312 $289 $445 $410 $328 $304 $602 $557 $515 $433 _$602 $557 $528 $453 $645 $580 $543 $476
Surry $424 $312 $301 $276 $445 $328 $316 $289 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $634 $583 $549 $471
"The 100%rate represents the monthly rates for summer,holidays,teach work days and inclement weather for school-age children. 8-25-os N
Subsidized Child Care Rates for Child Care Centers (100% Rates)
Effective October 1,2006
One Star Rates Two Star Rates Three Star Rates Four Star Rates Five Star Rates
Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School- Infant- 2- 3-5 School-
Toddler Toddler Year.Year- Age Toddler Year- Year. Age Toddler Year- Year- Age Toddler Year-Year- Age Toddler Year- Year- Age
County Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates* Rates Old Old Rates*
Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rate Rates
Swain $437 $402 $390 $390 $445 $410 $398 $398 $585 $551 $527 $448 $617 $581 $555 $468 $671 $622 $596 $491
Transylvania $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $441 $614 $563 $537 $460 $668 $604 $578 $483
Tyrrell $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
Union $437 $379 $348 $356 $445 $390 $366 $374 $586 $558 $521 $410 $629 $599 $556 $427 $681 $633 $587 $443
Vance $424 $390 $312 $356 $445 $422 $328 $374 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $623 $573 $543 $471
Wake $592 $513 $484 $446 $622 $539 $507 $467 $830 $724 $629 $630 $847 $737 $640 $639 $908 $785 $682 $676
Warren $424 $395 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Washington $437 $402 $379 $356 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $555 $476
Watauga $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $561 $441 $614 $563 $575 $460 $668 $604 $615 $483
Wayne $348 $339 $335 $335 $366 $355 $346 $346 $585 $541 $515 $494 $600 $555 $528 $518 $614 $573 $556 $548
Wilkes $424 $390 $368 $316 $445 $410 $386 $332 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $645 $580 $549 $476
Wilson $424 $348 $335 $335 $445 $366 $346 $346 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $453 $638 $580 $572 $476
Yadkin $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $557 $471
Yancey $424 $390 $368 $346 $445 $410 $386 $363 $585 $541 $515 $433 $600 $555 $528 $448 $622 $573 $548 $471
*The 100%rate represents the monthly rates for summer,holidays,teach work days and inclement weather for school-age children. 8-25.06 W
24
Families Receiving and Waiting For DSS Subsidy(10-16-2006)
Employers Families Served Families Waiting Total
UNC Hospital 20 2 22
CH/C City Schools 13 7 . 20
UNC 15 3 18
Duke 11 5 16
Wal Mart 7 6 13
Food Lion 6 1 7
Tiny Tots 4 3 7
Orange Co.Schools 4 1 5
Orange County 3 2 5
BCBS 2 2 4
Carillon Assted living 1 3 4
Carol Woods 4 4
Duke University 4 4
Kerr Drugs 2 2 4
Keston Care 3 1 4
Molly Maid 4 4
PHE 3 1 4
Sports Endeavors 4 4
Wee Care 3 1 4
Wendy's 1 3 4
Aramark 2 1 3
Bon's BBQ 3 3
Carolina House 1 2 3
Carolina Meadows 3 3
Dollar General 2 1 3
Durham Public Schools 1 2 3
Great Clips 2 1 3
SAMS 2 1 3
Spanish for Fun 3 3
Town of Chapel Hill 3 3
25
Child Care Task Force-Business/Employers Subcommittee
Name Organization
Nancy Coston, Co-Facilitator Orange County Social Services
Lindsey Shewmaker Dennis, Staff Support Orange County Social Services
Tom Underwood PHE(Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce)
Dianne Reid,Facilitator Economic Development
Jeanne Wakefield UNC Child Care Advisory Board
Aaron Nelson Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce
Valerie Foushee Orange County Commissioners
Cindy Wilkins Town of Chapel Hill
Lorri Allison UNC
Tracy Hager Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce
Aleyah Pankey UNC Hospital
Barbara Jessie-Black PTA Thrift Shop
Dr. Shirley Carraway Orange County Schools
Sharron Hinton Orange County
Michele Rivest OCPYC
Sue Russell CCSA
Neil Pederson Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
Patrick Phelan Edward Jones Investments