OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- In today's fast-paced economy parents find themselves working longer hours than ever. To keep up, they have to rely on the services of childcare providers to help strike a balance between work and family.

Now there is a tool that empowers both parents and childcare providers in finding and giving the best care possible. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Division of Child Care has launched a new website that gives parents access to the information they need to choose licensed, affordable, quality childcare.

"The Division of Child Care website contains a wealth of information that is just a few mouse clicks away," said Nancy vonBargen, Administrator of the Division of Child Care. "Busy parents can now have easy access to things they need to know to make an informed decision about their childcare needs."

The new site allows parents to surf through definitions, contact information and information about tribes that have cooperative agreements with OKDHS licensing. They can download a checklist to use in evaluating the provider that best fits their needs, or view alphabetical daycare-licensing information for the nearly 6,000 childcare providers from across the state.

Parents can review income guidelines, reimbursement charts and information on childcare assistance, as well as information about becoming more involved with their childcare provider.

"This site is also intended to aid childcare providers by allowing them to access information that will help them give the best possible care to their clients and their children," said vonBargen.

The site provides information about the Child Care Services Grant program, a list of competitive cost-reimbursement grants that can be used to renovate, remodel or to purchase equipment and supplies.

There is information about childcare resource and referral programs and an overview of the Reaching for the Stars program. The site also offers links to professional organizations where childcare providers can gain information about support services, training and education programs.

Both providers and parents can view the Division of Child Care Annual Report. This provides information concerning professional development, licensing requirements and policy, consumer education and quality assurance measures.

This site is just the latest effort by OKDHS to make information available to the public quickly and easily through the Internet. To use this new Internet tool, log onto the OKDHS Division of Child Care site at www.okdhs.org/childcare/. For information by phone, call 1-800-347-2276.

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