A new survey on access to child care suggests more than half of the working poor parents cannot afford child care and they have deep concerns about the quality of care their children receive.
Representatives of Justice, Economic Dignity and Independence (JEDI) for Women released findings of the survey of 185 child-care consumers during a press conference Friday morning outside Whittier Elementary School.The survey found that more than a third of parents changed child-care arrangements because of worries about quality and 52 percent have quality concerns about their current providers.
"Children should be our first priority. Now with welfare reform forcing mothers on assistance back to work, and the economic reality for other working poor families requiring parents to be in the workforce, we must look toward finding activities for children of all ages," said Bonnie Macri, co-chairwoman of JEDI's board of directors.
"Today, JEDI calls on the Legislature to consider the big picture for the children in our community and make quality day care and after-school programs available that are age-appropriate and affordable."
Salt Lake Assistant Police Chief Bill Shelton lent his support to JEDI for Women's quest for more after-school programs for children.
He read a statement by Salt Lake Police Chief Ruben Ortega: "There is no greater investment we can make than investing in the safety of our children. There are too many children at risk, and we must do more to ensure their safety to and from school and between the hours of 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., when they are most vulnerable."
Members of JEDI said they fear more children will meet tragic fates.
"After-school programs are needed at this time due to the social realities that our children are faced with. We cannot blame parents for not providing after-school care when they need to work to provide food, shelter and other survival needs," said Leandro DellaPiana, a member of JEDI for Women's board of directors.