Evidence from the report suggests that many former welfare recipients don't use subsidies because they don't know they are available. The third study, The Human Cost of Waiting for Child Care , conducted by the Children's Aid Society of New York, also reports on some of the difficulties facing families who have recently left welfare. The report, which includes information on surveys of families waiting for child care subsidies in New York City, found that many families participating in welfare to work activities did not know about their eligibility for child care subsidies or that they had the option of putting their children's names on more than one waiting list for subsidies. Many of the parents surveyed reported that they would prefer to use regulated care that better ensures quality. These families also reported having to make difficult choices about basic necessities for their children.
Parents leaving welfare are in effect customers of state welfare offices.
Those offices have a responsibility to serve their customers by connecting them with subsidies and high-quality care that meets their needs. We ask that you acknowledge the original source for each article and the Early Education Clearinghouse, a project of Associated Day Care Services.