Child care has become a fact of life for many American families. At the core of current debates about welfare reform and school readiness, child care has moved to the center of discussion about federal policy for children and families. This workshop report addresses the factors affecting patterns of child care use among low-income families; the quality, safety, and continuity of child care and its effects on children's development; the role of child care in families' efforts to prepare for and maintain paid employment; and the structure and consequences of federal child care subsidies. Tables, graphs, and references.

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.