Opportunities for HEW To Improve the Administration of Day Care Programs

Federal day care expenditures amounted to $675 million in fiscal year 1977; about 78 percent of this amount, $529 million, was provided by title XX of the Social Security Act. A review of selected aspects of day care programs funded under title XX focused on: (1) the reasonableness of the federal staff-to-child ratios mandated for day care centers; (2) the adequacy of federal efforts to ensure that family day care homes provide suitable care; (3) the reasonableness of fees charged to income-eligible families; and (4) the type of care provided by day care centers and family homes.