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Resolution
To Support Monolingual Spanish
Speaking Family Child Care, Center Base, and
Child Care Candidates
WHEREAS, the League of United
Latin American Citizens recognizes and promotes
the advancement of the Latino community in the
State of Florida as in the United States of
America and Puerto Rico; and
WHEREAS, the
employees of Child Care Centers and Family Child
Care Home providers in the State of Florida have
sought to obtain their mandated certified
specialization in order to work in the child
care profession; and
WHEREAS, the
monolingual Spanish speaking Family Child Care
Home and Center Based providers, Candidates, and
Child care employees are being given the
mandated courses in Spanish but are being tested
in the English Languages; and
WHEREAS, the
2002 Florida Legislature amended ss.
402.305(2)(d)1., 402.3131(3), F.S., to require
passage of a competency examination in order to
successfully complete the 40-clock-hour
Introductory Course in group Child Care; and
WHEREAS, the law
for testing family child care home and center
based candidates, and childcare employees became
effective on January 1st, 2004,
requiring these Spanish speaking candidates are
not able to open their Family Child Care Home
businesses; and
WHEREAS, these
potential candidates for the child care
profession are prevented from providing basic
childcare that children need to build a bond
with caregivers which is the first step in being
successful. Testing them in English does not
allow them to demonstrate their knowledge of the
competencies and skills needed to nurture and
educate young children; and
WHEREAS, the
children will be in jeopardy of falling into the
hands of unlicensed, unregulated caregivers that
have also not gone through a background
screening process.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the Florida State LULAC joins
LULAC West Tampa Council 7112 in calling its
members and supporters to request that this law
be revised to include he exams for Spanish
speaking childcare providers, center based
employees, and candidates in the Spanish
language.
LULAC recognizes that such
measure will benefit and advance our community
as a whole.
Submitted by:
West Tampa LULAC, Council 7112
Adopted this 10th day of July
2004.
Hector M. Flores
LULAC National President |
