AB 1897 (Mullin) Sample Support Letter
AB 1897 proposes creating an integrated child care facility license option for centers serving children from birth through entering first grade. The purpose is to reduce administrative burden on underfunded childcare centers and licensing agencies so they can focus on child safety. Currently, California is one of two states that requires separate infant-toddler licenses, but other states use a single license with age-appropriate standards. Developmentally, continuity of caregiver relationships is important for young children's social-emotional growth, but current licensing forces arbitrary classroom changes. The bill would require regulations for a birth to first grade license, including age-appropriate transitions and listing served age groups, applying all other licensing rules.
AB 1897 (Mullin) Sample Support Letter
- 1. (Date): The Honorable Susan Bonilla Assembly Human Services Committee, Chair 1020 N St., Room 124 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Support for AB 1897 (Mullin) Integrated Child Care Facility License Option Dear Assemblymember Chu, (Agency/Individual) is pleased to support AB 1897 to create an option for an Integrated Child Care Center License for child care centers serving children from birth through entering first grade. The purpose of AB 1897 is to create an Integrated Childcare Facility License that will be an additional option that providers can choose when applying for or renewing their facility license. A single license option will reduce the administrative burden on severely underfunded childcare centers and the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (CDSS-CCL) so that they both can focus on providing a safe and healthy environment for Californias children. California is one of only two states in the country which employ a separate infant-toddler license. Other states employ a single license for early childhood centers,mandating developmentally appropriate standards based on the age of the children served. Even in California, Family Child Care providers are not subject to the dual-license requirement: only private fee,state and federally funded center-based programs. Developmentally, one of the most important factors in a young childs social-emotional growth is continuity of relationships. Unfortunately, siloed licenses that ignore transitional considerations force California providers to arbitrarily move children out of one classroom and into another based on birthdates, to the exclusion of other factors. AB 1897 would require the CDSS-CCL to, in consultation with community stakeholders, adopt regulations on or before January 1, 2018, to develop and implement a birth to entering first grade license option for child care centers. The bill would require the regulations to include age-appropriate transition times, as specified, a requirement that a single integrated license option list the age groups of children being served at the child care center,and a requirement that all other licensing regulations that apply to a child care center shall also apply to a birth to entering first grade facility license option. On behalf of the children, families, and child care providers in California, we thank you for your leadership in supporting AB 1897 and look forward to working with you and other supporters of this important legislation to ensure passage this year. Sincerely, (Agency/Individual Name and Contact Information)