Patterns of child care subsidy receipt and the stability of child care

Does policy matter? The effect of increasing child care subsidy policy generosity on program outcomes

“…Being in the last month of a redetermination period remains a major predictor of program exit. Ha et al (2012) have added evidence that instability in subsidy use is associated with unstable child care arrangements. Scott et al (2011) have found that job changes almost always trigger changes in child care arrangements, thus increasing instability and negatively impacting child and family well-being.…”

“…For example, subsidy programs typically have served families eligible due to employment mixed with those eligible due to participation in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) activities or other social services. Across studies, parents in TANF activities have been found to have shorter subsidy spells than do those whose participation is related to employment (Gardner, Martin, Holod, Johnson, & Brooks-Gunn, 2009a, 2009bGrobe et al, 2008;Ha, Magnuson, & Ybarra, 2012;Meyers et al, 2002;Schexnayder & Schroeder, 2008;Witte & Queralt, 2005). Witte and Queralt (2005) asked if the generosity of subsidy policy affected the mix of families who participated in Rhode Island's subsidy program before and after an increase in generosity.…”

“…years of administrative data from Wisconsin, Ha et al (2012) found the number of spells of subsidized arrangements positively associated with the number of subsidized providers. Of greater concern, they found that the most disadvantaged children experienced the highest level of instability in subsidy receipt and child care arrangements.…”

“…About half of parents returned for another short spell (Meyers et al, 2002). Interruptions in subsidy use have been found associated with frequent changes in providers (Ha & Meyer, 2010;Ha et al, 2012;Weber, 2005) and thus have presented a concern for children's well-being. Using five Note: Caseworkers had the authority to set redetermination periods anywhere between 3 and 6 months prior to the establishment of 6-month redetermination periods in 2007.…”

Time for a change? Predictors of child care changes by low-income families

“…In Oregon, half of child care arrangements paid by subsidy lasted less than three months, and within a year, 70% of children had at least one change in their primary child care provider (Weber 2005). Ha, Magnuson, and Ybarra (2012) estimate that in Wisconsin, children under age five had nearly three subsidized providers on average during their time on subsidy. They also found a positive relationship between number of subsidy spells and number of subsidized providers.…”