CHANGING CHILD-CARE SYSTEMS THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS - CHALLENGES FOR THE 1990S

Communities are increasingly faced with an enormous challenge of solving complex child care problems. There is evidence that broad sectors of society are aware of these problems, are deeply concerned, and are searching for effective solutions. Changes in the child care system that will address these problems demand radical changes in attitudes and institutional policies and procedures. Experiences in some communities demonstrate that public/private collaboration among organizations that share a concern about services for children is a logical, desirable, and effective strategy for a community preparing for changes in the child care system. This strategy, however, poses new challenges for local early care and education planners and advocates.