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support children in what may be the most sensitive and individualistic period of
time during the day for sup-porting children's developmental, emotionai, social, and
academic needs. Also., such naining should increase the responsibility and skiús
that will make providing such services a viable, respected irofession.
'
Parents should be provided assistance in identifying the specific needs of their
children, recognizing quality in programming and Jtarr ari¿ the benefits
q_uality produces for their children, and beinfaware of the alternatives and
choices for nonschool-hour services that are available.
' gn. component of such training and technical assistance might consist of a
clearinghouse, perhaps incorporated into existing websites, ñat would advertise
recommended practices to agencies and parJnts; proviáe parents an
inventory of services organized by neighborhood; üif funding sources and
requirements for parent subsidies; provide agencies with infõrmation on
funding sources and how to access them, traiiing opportunities for staff, and
tips on collaboration and management; ano provlde óommunities and
policymakers with background informationbn resources and services that can
be used in planning.
Financial Support
The commission should create a coordinated, centralized, sustainable,
system ofcore funding for the general operation ofsuch sórvices.
' A centralized system, likely with a substantial government contribution, is
needed to meet the fina¡cial needs of agenciesãnd guarantee a sustainaLle,
consistent, and comprehensive system õfservices. -
' A plan should be devised-that will promote startup funding for new agencies
operating in under-served areas as well as consolidation oiservices iñoverserved
areas.
' The commission rlt"+-q urge policymakers to provide core funding that is
broader and more flexible than the highly-categorical and targetedlunding
that currently exists, and barriers to aõceising fãderal rnon"yihould be reduced
and methods adopted that would allow programs to leverage federal dollars.
'
The plan should recognize tliat low-income families are increasingly represented
in areas outside ofthe inner-city, so other strategies of targãting ässis_
tance to low-income families must be considered (such-as subsidies oivouchers
for individual families, sliding fee scales, agency subsidies or reimbursements,
universal programs).
These findings and recommendations are intended to stimulate and guide the creation
of a strategic plan and its imprementation that will produce a cooidinated,
comprehensive, g{ qtlalitysystem of nonschool-hõur care that will promote the
development of Allegheny County,s children.