WHEREAS:

Between five and seven million children between the ages of five and thirteen in the United States are children in self-care (latch key children), those children left unsupervised in the home for several hours each school day and on weekends when school is not in session; and

WHEREAS:

Each year nearly 6,000 school-age children nationwide die from injuries sustained in home accidents and fires, and in almost every case, there is no adult present; and

WHEREAS:

Parents of children in self-care often experience high levels of absenteeism, tardiness, turnover and low morale at work; and

WHEREAS:

Parents who wish to enroll their children in supervised after-school programs, rarely find quality affordable programs available in their communities.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the International, councils and locals commit to improving the quality of life for children in self-care and their families by helping their communities plan, implement and evaluate high-quality affordable self-care and supervised child care programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International, councils and locals support public awareness and public policy campaigns aimed at promoting family, school, business, government in establishing quality school-age child care programs.

SUBMITTED BY:

JoAnn Johntony, Delegate
Lynda L. Mobley, Delegate
Kathryn G. Wilkinson, Delegate
OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4
Ohio