Establishes "College Child Care Advisory Commission" to examine issues and develop recommendations on providing programs and services for college students who require child care services.
One of the central functions of the commission will be to compile statistics on the number of college students with children enrolled in various child care programs, such as licensed centers and Head Start programs. It will also evaluate existing programs offered by educational institutions and government entities related to child care grants and subsidies. The goal is to promote partnerships between schools and child care providers, potentially utilizing campus facilities for child care services, which could significantly alleviate the financial and logistical burdens faced by student parents.
Assembly Bill A3651 proposes the establishment of the 'College Child Care Advisory Commission' aimed at examining and developing recommendations for child care services tailored to college students. The bill seeks to address the specific child care needs of students attending institutions of higher education who also have children. The commission will be composed of various stakeholders, including representatives from educational bodies, child care organizations, and college students themselves. This diversity in representation is designed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by student parents in accessing child care services.
Although the bill focuses on improving access to child care for college students, there may be points of contention regarding the resource allocation for establishing the commission and implementing its recommendations. Concerns may arise over the adequacy of funding, the effectiveness of the proposed partnerships, and whether the commission can adequately address the diverse needs of students from different backgrounds and geographic locations. Furthermore, the bill mandates the issuance of a final report of findings and recommendations within a year, pushing for a relatively quick turnaround on a potentially complex issue.