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BURBANK/SACRAMENTO/FRESNO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today urged Senate Republicans to come back to work in Sacramento and end the budget impasse that is severely impacting the service capabilities of all California's 785 state-funded child care agencies.

"The budget stalemate has gone on far too long," O'Connell said. "The Senate Republican's refusal to agree to a balanced budget is having an impact on the 500,000 children who receive state-funded child care services. I sincerely hope the Senate Republicans realize that their budget gamesmanship has real consequences for these children and their families. The Legislature owes it to the children of California to get the job done."

The California Department of Education (CDE) has no authority to pay early care and education programs until a signed budget is enacted. Although agencies with CDE contracts are encouraged to have a reserve, it is difficult for agencies to manage the fiscal burden of operating a program over an extended period of time with no income to cover costs. The impact is particularly acute for child development agencies that have a signed contract for 2007-08, because while the CDE has prepared the first payment for these agencies, checks can not be prepared until the budget is signed.

"School districts and schools are expected to meet their budget obligations and we hope that the Legislature will meet its obligations as well," said Darline Robles, Ph.D., Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

General child care and development programs are state- and federally-funded programs that use centers and family child care home networks operated or administered by either public or private agencies and local educational agencies. These agencies provide child development services for children from birth through 12 years of age and older children with exceptional needs. These programs provide an educational component that is developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate for the children served. The programs also provide meals and snacks to children, parent education, referrals to health and social services for families, and staff development opportunities to employees.