Republican State Representative Applauds Increased Access to Childcare Coming to Arizona

Neil Jones

Arizona State Representative Matt Gress (R-Phoenix) released a statement Friday applauding the new executive rulemaking from Governor Katie Hobbs (D) that aims to increase access to childcare services in the state.

“This policy is designed to expand opportunities for Arizona’s working families and provide more options for their children when they are not in school,” Gress said. “Given the lack of providers for school-age children, it is crucial that we increase the supply of childcare centers to better serve our communities. For parents that qualify for federal subsidy, this effort will help ensure that parents can continue to work and provide for their families. I applaud the Governor for taking action on this important issue.”

According to Gress, Hobbs’s new rule implements many parts of legislation he had pushed during this session, House Bill (HB) 2227. This bill would have required the Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) to register an out-of-school time (OST) program without requiring the group to have a childcare facility license if it meets specific requirements. A license is required for any facility providing regular care to five or more children.

According to the bill, the OST program attempting to be registered must promote child learning and operate before and after school, during the summer, or at other times when school is not in session. As for requirements, the program must seek assistance from the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), serve only school-aged children, and pass health and safety requirements and criminal background checks.

Furthermore, the bill would have allowed the DHS to impose a registration fee, hit OST programs with a penalty for non-compliance with registration requirements, turn away any groups that do not meet standards, and revoke any registrations as necessary. Gress said his aim with the bill was to speed up the process of creating OST programs around the valley; however, that is en route to becoming a reality without HB 2227 becoming law.

The spokesman for the Arizona House Majority Caucus told The Arizona Sun Times via email that Gress is no longer pushing for his bill to become law because of Hobbs’s actions.

According to Hobbs, she directed the DHS and Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) to change how OSTs can receive licenses. Rather than not requiring a license like in HB 2227, Hobbs directed the departments to create an entirely new one specifically for OSTs, which she said would still streamline the process of getting programs registered. Hobbs said this rule came about through the joint efforts of multiple stakeholders around the state, including the Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence (ACAE), Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCV), and Arizona Alliance of YMCAs. Hobbs accredited Gress as a significant organizer behind these entities getting together.

“Too many families and caregivers around Arizona struggle with the costs of out-of-school time and summer care for their young students. Parents need more choices for out-of-school time care, especially in rural communities. Working together, we can ensure that parents and caregivers can use their childcare assistance dollars in Boys & Girls Clubs and similar programs,” said BGCV President Marcia Mintz. “We want to thank Governor Katie Hobbs and Representative Matt Gress for bringing together the childcare community to address these challenges.”

From here, Hobbs said the DHS and DES will begin holding board meetings with stakeholders, schools, and the public to iron out the best way to implement her orders. Additionally, she also announced that families with children in a DES childcare program will receive a one-time payment of $500 to help with upcoming summer costs.

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Neil Jones is a reporter for The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Neil on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].

 

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