Providers say children and families will be the losers
By Julia Lyon

The Salt Lake Tribune

Updated: 07/04/2009 06:26:26 AM MDT


Dozens if not hundreds of childcare providers will lose their licenses over the next year due to a new Utah law targeting undocumented immigrants.

Critics fear the result will be a tidal wave of children being cared for in unregulated homes and a significantly smaller pool of licensed childcare providers in a state where demand is already high.

"When we face a situation like this, our concerns are that providers will just go underground," said Encarni Gallardo, program director at the metro office of Child Care Resource and Referral.

New immigrants often provide in-home childcare as a means to care for their own children and supplement their income -- critical to supporting families during the recession.

Having a license insures that a background check has been conducted on the provider and anyone over 12 in the home. Various agencies also complete fire, kitchen, health and safety inspections.

"Now we're talking about a public safety issue in regards to our children being taken care of in a safe environment," said Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City.

The state has nearly 1,300 in-home providers, which typically care for up to eight children. These are the programs expected to be most affected by the new law. Additionally, there are 293 childcare centers located in a facility outside a home.

Until now, checking someone's immigration status was not part of the license application or renewal process.

SB81 requires a government agency verify citizenship before granting certain benefits such as a license.

Though the law went into effect this week, current childcare providers can continue to operate until their license comes up for renewal later this year or next year. Only by next July will the full magnitude of the new law's impact be known. A few at-home providers have already told officials they plan to give up their license.

For at least a month, the calls have been coming every day to the Utah childcare referral organization. Owners are scared and confused about what the law means for them. They want to know whether they should turn in their license right away.

"The economy is bad for everyone," Gallardo said. "These people are being cornered and cornered."

Geirgina, who asked not to be identifed because of her immigration status, has run a daycare program in her Utah home for almost six years. She expects to close her business when her current license expires, maybe study English and take computer classes.

Without the income from her daycare, she and her husband, who have American-born children, are paying their bills in order of importance.

"Or maybe I need to go clean houses for my neighbors," she said.

But the businesswoman emphasizes the families lose, too, as long-term relationships come to an end.

"The parents trust in the providers and the children trust in the providers," she said.

Elena, who asked not to be identifed because of her immigration status, hopes the law changes by the time her license comes up for renewal next year. She has tried to follow every rule when it comes to her business.

"I don't know what I will do because this situation is worse and worse," she said.

jlyon@sltrib.com


http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12749398