Child care resources just click away at WLRC site

Recognizing that many in the U-M community must juggle both career and family, the University has created an additional resource for employees and students searching for emergency and short- and long-term child care.

A new Web-based, child care referral system on the Work/Life Resource Center (WLRC) Web site gives parents access to state-licensed child care providers. The site augments the current personal service, which is staffed by two child care referral specialists and is available during normal business hours by calling (734) 936-8677

The expanded Web service will help parents customize their searches while providing around the clock service to aid parents seeking child care for their children.

The "Find child care now" link at www.umich.edu/~hraa/worklife will take users to a database of more than 1,200 child care providers, including the five U-M child care centers on campus, as well as a network of licensed home-based facilities which give priority to University parents. Parents can choose from four different types of programs: family day care homes, group day care homes, child care centers and school age programs. They will be able to specify locations, drop off and pick up times, and days of the week child care services are needed.

Once criteria are established, the database, which is managed by The Child Care Network/Washtenaw Regional 4C, a local non-profit child care referral service, will retrieve all relevant matching child care resources on the site. A list of providers will display provider name, type of center, telephone number and the nearest cross streets. The service covers a six-county area: Washtenaw, Jackson, Hillsdale, Monroe, Lenawee and Livingston. For other counties in Michigan, parents are asked to call during normal business hours.

"Parents should go to the Web site first if they are seeking childcare referrals or assistance," WLRC Manager Leslie dePietro says. "If they still have further questions, they can call one of our child care referral specialists."

Currently, WLRC provides appointments with the referral specialists, either by phone or in person during normal business hours. After meeting with parents, the specialists respond with customized search findings of providers, normally within 1-2 days.

With the addition of the Web function, parents now can utilize both methods to more effectively search for child care that best suits their needs.

"With the personal consultations, we have real people parents can talk to. A lot of times, we talk to new parents, tell them what to expect, and give them suggestions about how to locate good child care and other parenting resources." dePietro says. "We believe the Web site will supplement the current system and both can work together to enhance parents' search for child care."

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