"to ensure that child-care operations provide inclusive care to children with special needs."
YES!
(http://www.dpctexas.org/newsletters/2008-02-25.html):
The Feb. 15th issue of the Texas Register holds good news for
families of children with disabilities seeking child care. The
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) rules governing
minimum standards for child-care centers have been revised "to ensure
that child-care operations provide inclusive care to children with
special needs." The revisions require child care centers to follow
federal law, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and establish the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
as the enforcement authority.
As we reported when the proposed rule revisions were issued last
fall, this story speaks to the fact that one person can make a
difference! DFPS agreed to modify its rules based on the experience
of a Houston mom who could not find a child-care provider that would
serve her son with cerebral palsy.
Hundreds of Texas families have had that same frustrating experience.
Until now, they've had little recourse, because the state had nothing
in place to ensure that licensed providers will not discriminate
against children with disabilities.
The revisions and summary of public comments, including those from
the Disability Policy Consortium, are available under the heading
Chapter 746. Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers on the
Secretary of State's Texas Register website:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/.
(http://www.dpctexas.org/newsletters/2008-02-25.html):
The Feb. 15th issue of the Texas Register holds good news for
families of children with disabilities seeking child care. The
Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) rules governing
minimum standards for child-care centers have been revised "to ensure
that child-care operations provide inclusive care to children with
special needs." The revisions require child care centers to follow
federal law, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and establish the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
as the enforcement authority.
As we reported when the proposed rule revisions were issued last
fall, this story speaks to the fact that one person can make a
difference! DFPS agreed to modify its rules based on the experience
of a Houston mom who could not find a child-care provider that would
serve her son with cerebral palsy.
Hundreds of Texas families have had that same frustrating experience.
Until now, they've had little recourse, because the state had nothing
in place to ensure that licensed providers will not discriminate
against children with disabilities.
The revisions and summary of public comments, including those from
the Disability Policy Consortium, are available under the heading
Chapter 746. Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers on the
Secretary of State's Texas Register website:
http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/.