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County of Volusia
Children and Families Advisory Board
Minutes of the September 15, 2003 Meeting- 6:00 pm
City Island Regional Library
105 East Magnolia Avenue
Daytona Beach, Florida
386-943-7039

Call to Order 6:10 pm

Attendance

Quorum: Yes

In the absence of Mary Bruno, Chair, MaryLou Mirino presided as chair.

Minutes: Motion made by Dr. Henry Martin and seconded by Maria Augustine to approve minutes of August 11. Motion passed.

New Business: None

Correspondence: None

Public Participation: Subject: Mandatory licensure of family home day cares.

Sharon Welenc, registered provider – opposed to licensure – Ms. Welenc stated "they don’t have the right to come through my house whenever they want to". "The parents can do that." She currently has three children and if licensure were mandatory she would close her business.

Marie Wilcoxone, registered provider - opposed to licensure. Ms. Wilcoxone stated she believes parents can judge whether her facility is safe and "up to par". She further stated that some requirements are unfair. She currently has five children.

Mary Rinard, registered provider – in favor of licensure. She is for whatever is for the safety of the children. She stated issues of concern regarding septic tanks and radon have been brought to her attention by CCRN. She stated she would not quit family home day care if licensure were mandated. She currently has six children.

Louise Lawrence, registered provider – Client states she prefers to be a registered provider. She could not explain the difference between being licensed and registered. She currently has six children.

Debbie Yampaglia, registered provider – opposed to licensure. If licensure is mandated she would close her business. She considered licensure in the past but found that more and more requirements were imposed. She currently has six children.

Elaine Holmer, registered provider – opposed to licensure. She believes that the responsibility of parents to have their children in a safe place. She considered licensure, but, also found that more and more requirements were imposed. She feels that if licensure were mandated that "illegal underground family home day cares would come into being". She currently has five children.

Jackie Gibbs, registered provider – opposed to licensure. States she believes providers should be able to choose whether they are registered or licensed. Licensure would require additional restrictions. She currently has eight children.

Nellie Johnson, registered provider – opposed to licensure. She is disabled and is not planning to stay in daycare. If licensure is mandated she is not sure if she would continue. She currently has six children.

Jerry Webb, parent who had five children in daycare in past years in this community. He stated that providers are concerned that if Government "steps in" and puts pressure on them and they respond that what is being required is not right, they will be punished for it. If someone from the Government feels like it, they can simply put them out of business. Some providers already feel they have been harassed. He stated that some providers are not sure what may be required of them if they become licensed.

Rhonda D’Alessie, parent, questioned why the issue of licensure was being considered. Mr. Williams explained that request came originally from League of Women Voters. She is happy with her daycare provider, who is registered, and is concerned that daycare may not be available if registered providers, who choose not to be licensed, close.

Melonie Crawford, registered provider – Not opposed to licensure but has issues – i.e. her pool being enclosed and counting her twelve year old son as part of her quota. She currently has two children.

Debra Stewart, registered provider – opposed to licensure - because she feels that the requirements to become a registered provider are sufficient to run a home based day care. She does not want her home inspected by a stranger and believes the parents of the children are the inspectors. Let the parents decide what kind of day-care provider they want. Just because a person is licensed does not make them a good day care provider. She currently has four children.

Susan Robinson, licensed provider - in favor of licensure – Believes inspections are good because they provide assistance. She currently has twelve children.

Jennifer Richards, licensed provider – in favor of licensure. CCRN has assisted with situations with children. She currently has four children.

Vimel Blake, licensed provider – in favor of licensure. Inspections and support of CCRN have been helpful. She currently has one child.

Hattie Mitchell, licensed provider – in favor of licensure. Inspections have been helpful as well as training received from CCRN. She currently has six children.

Robert Daugherty, opposed to licensure. He stated that he believes that the daycare providers are primarily interested in caring for children and not in it for the money. He prefers to have his child in that type of environment. If licensure were mandated additional paperwork would be involved, extra money to meet codes, and with the knowledge that anytime "government, or big brother" can pop in and examine everything resulting in a possible infraction and fine, providers may choose to close. He believes it’s the "Agencys" goal to "do away" with registered and licensed day care. The parents look for more in a day care than an agency. Mandated licensure takes away the parents choice.

Advisory Board Participation: MaryLou Mirino advised public that Board will be meeting at the United Way on October 14 at 1:30 to formulate recommendation to the County Council. Board expressed appreciation to participants.

Debra Stewart expressed concern that the meeting on October 14 is at 1:30

Adjourned: 6:55 pm

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