Need of training Children need tender loving care as hospital patients are said to; but no hospital considers a woman qualified as a nurse because she maintains that she just loves to wait on sick people. The willingness to give tender loving care to children is not enough, either, to qualify a woman to be in charge of a group of them. Both jobs call for specific training and without it the patients or the children are in considerable danger. It must be pointed out that the care of a group of children, other people's children, is a very different problem from care in a home. Also one must remember that most of the children in day care come from underprivileged if not slum homes, and the percentage of both physical and mental problems is unusually high. It requires a trained, understanding worker to help them. SUMMARY The need of day care services for children whose parents cannot supply adequate supervision for them is very much beyond the capacity of existing services to meet, and is steadily increasing. This service is needed to preserve family life and to enable mothers (sometimes fathers) to get off the relief rolls, find work, and with it renewed courage and self-respect. It is needed to increase the national productive force. The children now poorly supervised or unsupervised need day care for their safety, health, and to promote normal, healthful growth of mind and social attitudes. Without it they can far more easily become public charges, or public enemies, instead of useful, contributing citizens. The Nation will obviously benefit from this and from the financial "relief from relief" as their parents become self-supporting. The group care of children, especially underprivileged children where remedial work is necessary, is a highly skilled, professional job. It will be necessary to train many new workers in this field if the day care program is to be safely expanded. Only the Federal Government can provide the necessary assistance to State and local governments to expand services. Only the Federal Government can safeguard the children served by setting up minimal standards for care. Respectfully submitted. RHODA W. BACMEISTER. WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 1962. Hon. WILBUR MILLS, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR MR. MILLS: I was gratified to read that specific funds were earmarked for day care in the public welfare amendments bill which has just been introduced by you. I am writing to heartily endorse such a provision. With more and more women entering the labor force, a large proportion of them the mothers of young children, day care has become a pressing need. As vice chairman of the recent day-care study made by the Health and Welfare Council of the District of Columbia, and as a member of the board of directors of the National Committee for the Day Care of Children, I have felt for some time that Federal funds must be granted to help establish day-care programs of the size and quality needed by hundreds of communities. Very sincerely yours, MARGARET H. WASHINGTON. PHILADELPHIA, PA., February 11, 1962. DEAR SIR: I would like to add my voice to all the others writing to have day care considered in the bill "Public Welfare Amendments of 1962," H.R. 10032. This bill was to be introduced the 7th of February. Day care for children is so vital with all the mothers working out of their homes. I have worked in this field and my interest is great. There is such a need for good day care. I sincerely hope this part of the bill will be considered on its own merit when it comes up before the House. Thank you, Mrs. G. E. LAMB. Mr. LEO H. IRWIN, Chief Counsel, New House Office Building, Washington, D.C. ST. LOUIS, MO., February 10, 1962. DEAR MR. IRWIN: Through many years, I have advised, planned, supervised with day-care centers and nursery schools. I directed for 8 years the nursery school at Washington University, here in St. Louis. I have met with parents here and elsewhere, given courses in early childhood growth and development in many universities, so from firsthand experiences, I know the great benefits that children and in turn their families receive through careful, professional, guidance in efficient day care centers. The bill entitled "Public Welfare Amendments of 1962" is numbered H.R. 10032. Excerpt: Section 102(c) would add to title V of the Social Security Act a new section 527 on day care making funds available "to assist the States to provide adequately for the care and protection of children whose parents are, for part of the day, working or seeking work, or otherwise absent from home or unable for other reasons to provide parental supervision * In lieu of giving testimony by appearing, I wish to go on record endorsing the principle of Federal aid to day-care services. The National Committee for Day Care will continue to work very closely with the Children's Bureau to develop standards including careful, professional preintake, counseling services to assure that day care is used as the best plan for strengthening family life. Thank you for your interest, your understanding, your help, which we, all concerned about our young children during their formative years, deeply appreciate. Best wishes, Sincerely yours, JENNIE WAHLERT. FEBRUARY 13, 1962. Mrs. RANDOLPH GUGGENHEIMER, President, New House Office Building, Washington, D.C. To Whom It May Concern: I want to go on record endorsing the principle of Federal aid for day-care services. Having been a kindergarten teacher for 33 years in this area, as well as a worker in the social welfare community work of a large downtown church in Washington, D.C., I am keenly aware of the need for something like this. I would like to know a little more about how this aid will be administered and by whom. Sincerely, BONNIE I. KING. ATLANTA, GA., February 12, 1962. LEO H. IRWIN, Chief Counsel, New House Office Building, Thousands of children in the United States are in need of day care. To be sure that this care is adequate aid is needed. I should like to go on record as being in favor of H.R. 10032. ALICE H. MERRIAM. Mr. LEO H. IRWIN, Chief Counsel, New House Office Building, JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, Baltimore, Md., February 13, 1962. DEAR MR. IRWIN: We urgently request the Federal appropriations for the daycare services for children contained in H.R. 10032, "Public Welfare Amendments of 1962" now in the House Ways and Means Committee. Our knowledge of the children in our various communities leads us to believe that millions of children are in need of this service and are suffering for lack of them. Federal appropriation will encourage the States to meet the need with greater reality. Sincerely yours, SADIE D. GINSBERG, MARYLAND COMMITTEE ON GROUP DAY CARE OF CHILDREN, Mr. LEO H. IRWIN, Chief Counsel, New House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. IRWIN: We urgently request the Federal appropriations for the daycare services for children contained in H.R. 10032 "Public Welfare Amendments of 1962" now in the House Ways and Means Committee. Our knowledge of the children in our various communities, leads us to believe that millions of children are in need of this service and are suffering for lack of them. Federal appropriation will encourage the States to meet the need with greater reality. Sincerely yours, AGNES B. PARK Mrs. Edwards A. Park, Mr. LEO H. IRWIN, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., February 20. DEAR SIR: I trust you will do all in your power to help endorse Federal aid for day-care agencies. As a teacher in a child-care center in San Francisco, I am fully aware of the importance of child care for the children of working mothers. Recently my own daughter was compelled, because of a divorce, to use the services of child care in order for her to work. With best wishes to you for a successful endeavor, in favor of child care, I remain, Respectfully yours, Mrs. ESTELLE H. FARBER. (Whereupon, at 3:25 p.m., the hearing adjourned subject to the call of the Chair.) |