East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
Play The
Child’s Role of Planners in Developing an Nieves-Ruiz
Equitable Child Care SystemLuis
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CAREAbout ECFRPC • Council OrlandoLocatedGovernmentsofin • AssistanceTechnicalProvide OrganizationsandGovernmentsto Serving Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE APA Policy Guide (1997) • Childcare is a Critical Component of Livable Communities for Many Families • Local Planning Policies can Play an Important Role in Ensuring Adequate Childcare
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE Why Should Local Planners Get Involved? • ApproachSystemic • Manage Public Goods • InequitiesEliminate • ExpertiseTechnical
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE Systemic Approach • Planners Take a Holistic Approach to Solving Issues • Can Communicate with Different Stakeholders • Identify Best Approaches for Collaboration
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE Manage Public Goods • Responsibility to Work for the Good of the Community • Planners already Manage Infrastructure • Accessible and Affordable Child Care is an Important Asset for Working Families
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE Eliminate Inequities • Childcare is a Barrier to Labor Force Participation, Particularly Women • Most Childcare Jobs are Held by Women of Color • Quality Child Care can Help Close the Achievement Gap
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CARE Technical Expertise • Planners can Speak “Land Use” and Regulations • Tools to Assess the Conditions of the Childcare System • Experience Writing and Presenting to Elected Officials
PLANNER’S ROLE IN CHILD CAREChildcare as Planning Issue • Location and Availability of Childcare is Deeply Intertwined With Other Community Development Goals • Creating a Sustainable and Equitable System is a Long Range Planning Activity • Planners can Influence Child Care Programs by Creating Policies, Identifying Local Resources, and Working with Developers and Community Partners
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Luis FAICPNieves-Ruiz, Director of DevelopmentEconomic lnievesruiz@ecfrpc.org