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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NATIONWIDE CHILD CARE SURVEY SHOWS LACK OF OPTIONS IMPACT ECONOMY

Survey discussed on Capitol Hill as part of welfare reform debate

Washington, DC, Feb. 20, 2004 - Today, YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for this country's 2,540 YMCAs and collectively the nation's largest child care provider, released a child care survey at a briefing on Capitol Hill. The study of voters (both parent and non-parent) funded by Colonel's Kids and the Entertainment Industry Foundation shows that communities do not have enough quality, affordable child care programs and many voters believe the economy is negatively impacted because there are not enough child care options for working parents. The lack of quality, affordable child care increases absenteeism and creates on-the-job distractions of employees that lessen productivity and affect both parent and non-parents.

As the U.S. Senate prepares to debate the welfare reform bill, YMCA of the USA believes this survey underscores the urgent need to increase child care funding and create more quality, affordable options for child care in communities nationwide.

"As the nation's largest provider of child care programs, YMCAs are committed to addressing this problem and believe all children should have access to high quality, affordable child care," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D., National Executive Director, YMCA of the USA. "We will continue to work with Congress to increase the amount of funding for child care programs in this country."

The study was conducted by Lake Snell Perry and Associates and Public Strategies Incorporated. The survey reached 800 registered voters ages 18 or older nationwide. Other key findings from the survey include:

Voters see child care programs as an absolute necessity for their communities.
Voters do not think there are enough child care programs available and they are even more likely to think there are not enough affordable programs available.
Voters are looking for a resolution to the child care crisis and see YMCAs as a potential resource and solution.
Voters see YMCA as one of the most trusted organizations when it comes to being an advocate for children and child care.

YMCAs serve 7.5 million school age youth in afterschool programs and 500,000 pre-schoolers at more than 9,000 child care sites nationwide. YMCA child care affordable to the members of the community, and those who cannot afford it are given financial assistance when possible. YMCA child care helps children grow physically, mentally and spiritually and include character development, international education, health and wellness, environmental awareness, school readiness, diversity and community service.

A recent report commissioned by the YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth Medical School and the Institute for American Values provides scientific proof that what YMCAs do in child care and other programs is important and successful for kids and their families. The findings of "Hardwired to Connect: The Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities" show that surrounding our kids with rich networks of nurturing relationships not only helps them thrive, but has been shown to genetically protect them for developing emotional disorders like depression, anxiety or substance abuse.

YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation's 2,540 YMCAs, collectively the nation's largest not-for-profit community service organization, serving 18.9 million people of all faiths, races, ages and incomes, including 9 million children. YMCAs offer a broad range of programs including youth leadership and volunteerism and are collectively the nation's largest providers of child care. Visit www.ymca.net

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View the survey results in PDF format

For more information contact:

Media Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8418