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Call to Order 6:00 pm

Attendance

Quorum: Yes

In the absence of Chair Mary Bruno, Mary Lou Mirino, Vice Chair presided. Chair requested public to limit presentation to five minutes.

Public Participation: Subject: Mandatory licensure of family home day cares. Bonita Culver, in favor of licensure, Stacey LaPiere opposed, Patty Thomas opposed, Shirley Bartley opposed, Dawn Holmes opposed, Curtis Cole opposed, Teri Brewington opposed, Melonie Crawford in favor, Judy Wheeler opposed, Josephine Hart opposed, Tim Waters opposed, Doris Mayhue in favor, Kim Augustine in favor, Dottie Dooley inquired as to what kind of inspections are conducted and stated she was not aware that there are day care providers who are not licensed. Dorothy Bannister inquired as to why the League of Women Voters has requested licensure be mandated. Mr. Williams stated the reason is to insure the safety of the children and the quality of family home day care. Summer Clayton of the League responded that request for mandatory licensure was the result of a three year study. She stated that, while there are wonderful registered homes, there is currently no way ensure the safety of children. The League believes that inspections, which are required for licensure, would help achieve this goal. Marquerite Owen opposed, Joann Daugherty, opposed.

Diana Vece of CCRN stated fire inspections and occupational license’s for registered providers are necessary only if it is required by the city of residence. Grant monies ($100) are currently available for smoke detectors for licensed and registered providers.

Lynne LaBombard of CCRN responded to questions raised during the public participation. The requirement is for nutritional meals to be served. Regarding inspections, currently CCRN performs four unannounced visits per year. They inspections are current. Providers are not forced to take subsidized or private pay children. An outside play yard is required, however, CCRN does not require providers to take children outside. All providers, registered or licensed are required by Florida Law to have their name listed on the internet. If grandchildren are visiting they are counted in the ratio, licensed or registered providers, if provider is watching them. Regarding fire inspections, every license or registration currently issued is for 10 children which automatically puts all providers under the fire life safety code. If the license or registration states the provider is exempted to have only five children, then the fire life safety code would not apply.

Ms. LaBombard stated she agreed with the statement that "kids belong to parents", but the license and registration that providers chose belongs to the State of Florida and there is a responsibility that comes with those documents. If providers want those responsibilities, they make the choice. There are some very good registered providers, but the issue exists regarding those who are not good providers. The State of Florida requires a working telephone in licensed homes, but not registered homes. Ms. LaBombard stated the health and safety of children is the issue and regulations need to be uniform and fair. CCRN can only go into registered homes if there is a complaint that the provider is over ratio, if a worker has not been background screened, or immunization records are not current Inspectors with CCRN receive 80 hours of training which is provided by the Department of Children and Families.

Advisory Board Participation: Mary Lou Mirino, Kymberly Cook, Maria Augustine, Marisa Shirley, Dr. Martin, and Karen Bourbonnais expressed appreciation to tonight’s participants.

Adjourned: 7:50 pm

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Volusia County, Florida.