CHILD CARE CENTERS ARE CLOSING!!!!
Attend City-Wide Action Summit on DC's CHILD CARE CRISIS
Saturday, August 29th 2009
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Martin Luther King Jr Library
901 G St, NW – Room A-5
Gallery Pl/China Town Metro * Free Garage Parking * Accessible Location * Light Refreshments
DC PARKS & REC CENTERS TO CLOSE
HUNDREDS OF DC RESIDENTS IN WARDS 6, 7 & 8
WILL LOSE THEIR CHILD CARE
160 WORKERS WILL BE FIRED
BUDGET FOR CHILD CARE VOUCHERS HAS BEEN CUT
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ARE GOING UNSERVED
Get the Facts & TAKE ACTION!!!
CHILD CARE AVAILABLE
RSVP to Parisa@empowerdc.org or (202) 234-9119
Sponsored by: Empower DC & Family Voices of DC
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Fenty & DPR Director Hartsock Defy Council Legislation, Move to Close Centers
Adrian Fenty's fiscal year 2010 budget eliminated funding for the Early Childhood and Out of School Time programs operating out of 13 Department of Parks & Recreation sites, primarily in Wards 6, 7 & 8. The Dept of Parks & Recreation has provided Early Childhood Education services since 1974 and has achieved gold standard accreditation for its centers. Nearly 100% of the families served in DPR centers hold vouchers under the Child Care Subsidy Program.
The Council passed the 2010 budget without restoring the funds for these programs. The programs are funded from Federal Head Start and Child Care Development Block Grant monies - NOT local tax dollars - and operate under an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
The Mayor has stated his goal is to privatize the child care services, and interim Parks & Rec director Ximena Hartsock has reportedly said that the Department should "not be in the education business."
After recognizing the harmful impacts impending closures would have on the community, Councilman Harry Thomas introduced and the Council passed Emergency Legislation that requires the Mayor to deliver substantial analysis of what impact the closings and proposed privatization would have on residents and workers (legislation attached). Councilman Thomas also held a public hearing on June 29th at which DPR Director Hartsock failed to appear, and continued the hearing on July 15th still with no testimony from the Director. Subsequently, the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation voted to support a resolution allowing for their use of subpoena power to compel the DPR Director to appear, and to continue its investigation of this issue over the course of the summer recess. Director Hartsock finally testified before the committee on July 27th 2009. Video of the testimony can be viewed here: http://oct.dc.gov/services/on_demand_video/channel13/july2009/07_27_09_L...
The Mayor and Director Hartsock have defied Council legislation, failing to deliver any analysis as required. Additionally, center directors have been told to freeze enrollment, ready their resumes and prepare to close their centers. At least 160 workers face losing their jobs, and hundreds of families face losing their child care.
To get involved in the effort to save DPR Child Care, contact Parisa Norouzi at (202) 234-9119 or parisa@empowerdc.org.
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MORE INFORMATION:
Department of Parks and Recreation began providing child care services, including before and after school care, in 1974. Parks and Recreation currently offers Early Childhood Education programs, Out of School Time Programs (before & after school) and Cooperative Play. The Early Childhood and Out of School Time programs are the ones currently at risk of being closed. There were 30 sites in 2006-2007. Several sites have already been closed, including at least 4 closed last year (Bald Eagle, Sharpe Health, New York Ave and Stoddert Terrace). The sites participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program and many are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. *NOTE: The Early Care & Out of School programs are mostly in wards 6, 7 & 8. The Cooperative Play sites (not currently at risk) are only in Wards 1, 2 & 3.
The Early Care & Education programs currently operating and at-risk of closure are as follows:This programming consists of Early Care (day care) for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Head start starts at 2 years old; Early Care is for all 2-5. The hours of operation are 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday (closed weekends). Children receive breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Children do not have to be potty-trained.
Location Address ANC
Atlantic Gardens Early Care and Education 4228 4th Street, SE 8d
Atlantic Terrace Early Care and Education 4309 3rd Street, SE 8d
Banneker Early Care and Education 800 Euclid Street, NW 1b
Barry Farm Early Care and Education 1230 Sumner Road, SE 8c
Benning Park Early Care and Education* 53rd and Fitch Streets, SE 7e
Edgewood Terrace Early Care and Education 601 Edgewood Street, NE 5c
*note: includes early care starting at 6 weeks
Kenilworth-Parkside Early Care and Education* 4300 Anacostia Avenue, NE 7d
Malcolm X Early Care and Education 1351 Alabama Avenue, SE 8e
Paradise Early Care and Education 3515 Jay Street, NE 7d
Payne Early Care and Education 305 15th Street, SE 6b
Randall Early Care and Education* 820 South Capitol Street, SW 6d
Rosedale Early Care and Education* 1701 Gales Street, NE 6a
Watkins Early Care and Education* 1200 E Street, SE 6b
The Out of School Time programs currently operating and at-risk of closure are as follows:
Location Address ANC
Adams Out of School Time 2020 19th Street, NW 1c
Amidon Out of School Time 401 I Street, SW 6d
Bancroft Out of School Time 1755 Newton Street, NW 1d
Green Out of School Time 1500 Mississippi Avenue, SE 8e
Hendley Out of School Time 425 Chesapeake Street, SE 8d
Joy Evans Out of School Time 555 L Street, SE 6d
NOTE: for children with special needs
Oyster Out of School Time 2801 Calvert Street, NW 3c
Payne Out of School Time 305 15th Street, SE 6b
Simon Out of School Time 401 Mississippi Avenue, SE 8e
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Audio report from July 11th protest at Fenty's House: http://dc.indymedia.org/usermedia/audio/2/fenty_home_demo_july11_mix.mp3
On-Line Petition to Save DPR Child Care: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/4/stop-the-closing-of-all-dcps-childcare-...
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Office of Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 17, 2009
Thomas Seeks Subpoena Authority to Investigate DPR Early Childhood Program's Funding Irregularities
Washington, DC - Ward 5 Councilmember Harry "Tommy" Thomas, Jr., Chair of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation, held an additional committee meeting yesterday at which committee members voted to support a resolution authorizing the committee to investigate the Department of Parks and Recreation's Early Childhood Program. Councilmember Thomas is confident that the entire Council will approve the resolution at its next scheduled legislative session on July 31, 2009.
The "Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation Early Childhood Program Investigation Authorization Resolution of 2009" authorizes the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation to use subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses, obtain testimony, or produce documents or other information or tangible items. The investigation will cover the transfer of funds for early childhood and daycare programs from the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
Thomas determined the need to launch an investigation after the Administration closed a number of DPR daycare sites subsequent to Council passage of a law requiring the sites to remain open until September 30, 2009. At issue are inconsistent testimony, under oath, about the source of the funding for the day care program and how the program has been administered by DPR and OSSE. Also of concern, which Councilmember Thomas highlighted during his opening remarks at the July 16, 2009 committee meeting, are:
· The DPR director signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in February 2009 agreeing to a reduction of allotted daycare funds from $6.2 million to $4.5 million. The MOU was never discussed with Council prior to its execution and was not mentioned in any subsequent testimony before the committee.
· OSSE cut DPR's daycare funding based on under enrollment. DPR was instructed by OSSE to freeze enrollment in the program despite a long waiting list for openings.
· DPR officials alleged to staff and parents that the Council's bill requiring the daycare facilities to remain open was illegitimate and unfunded, despite a clean fiscal impact statement to the contrary.
"My staff and I have tried to work harmoniously with DPR and OSSE officials to resolve outstanding issues relating to the funding of DPR daycare programs," said Councilmember Thomas. "Because DPR officials refuse to participate in any hearings or roundtables on the matter, we have no choice but to seek authorization to launch an investigation with subpoena power."
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