Vanderbilt University Register: VIPPS center focuses upon policies affecting, regulating childcare

by Tara S. Donahue

The vast majority of daycares -- from the most expensive to the least expensive -- in Nashville have a waiting list of 100 to 300 children, said Debbie Miller, director of the Center for Child and Family Policy at the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies.

"Whether you're poor, rich or middle class, it doesn't matter," Miller said. "If parents can't find daycare, they'll leave the children in risky environments," causing further problems for the family. Some may leave their children in an unsafe place, others may allow young teenagers to watch the kids, or the children may end up taking care of themselves.

The Center for Child and Family Policy, founded in 1996 by Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, who is Miller's husband, works with neighborhoods, policymakers and local and state government to resolve situations such as these. The mission of the center is to develop, promote and implement public policy and community strategies that strengthen children and families through research, advocacy and education.

"We bring the people who make policies to the people who use the services so they can reach a consensus on what are the best measures to take," said Miller. "And, we help policymakers rethink what the government role is in the delivery of services."

According to Miller, the government is not necessarily the best at making sure the delivery of services works in an efficient and timely manner. More productive results occur when the state contracts out services.

"The state can hire agencies and then monitor those agencies," Miller said. "This allows a certain quality control."

Bringing these agencies together is one goal of the center. When policymakers, legislators and citizens come together to discuss what programs or policies work best for everyone, positive outcomes can result. For example, Tennessee is ranked 45th on the national Kids Count survey that ranks states based on services they provide children.

"We need to engage business leaders, government leaders and policymakers in conversations on what kids need," Miller said. "How can we get above 45th?"

Besides working with various constituencies, the Center for Child and Family Policy also analyzes research to see how the research can impact the lives of children, especially through education and healthcare.

Currently, the center is involved in several different projects.

Each year, it co-sponsors Family Re-Union, a series of annual conferences moderated by former Vice President Al Gore and Tipper, his wife and Peabody alumna, that bring together families and those who work with them to discuss and design better ways to strengthen family life in America. The 2001 event is scheduled for Nov. 19.

The center is also working with the Nashville Information Consortium. Under the leadership of Deborah Taylor Tate, director of the State and Local Government Policy Center, the consortium is a compilation of data from agencies that collect it. Any records needed -- from census data, maps and community information -- can be found in the consortium.

A faith community initiative is also in progress. Peabody students helped to compile a directory of churches in East Nashville. The services each church offers are highlighted such as daycare, after-school care, education classes and other community initiatives.

The center is funded through grants from the Danforth Foundation and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.