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340:110-1-17. Child Care Advisory Committee bylaws
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Revised11-20-08
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Child Care Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee or CCAC) is to:
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(A) ensure maintenance of minimum standards for the care and protection of children away from their homes that include:
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(i) constructive programs and services to meet the needs of each child and family;
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(ii) staff of good moral character and ability to care for children;
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(iii) adequate and safe housing, sanitation, and equipment;
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(iv) good health care;
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(v) full educational and religious opportunities;
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(vi) good community relationships;
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(vii) essential records and administrative methods; and
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(viii) sufficient funds for sound operation;
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(B) encourage and assist child care facilities toward maximum standards; and
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(C) work for the development of sufficient and adequate services for child care through joint work with public and private agencies;
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(2) prepare and recommend minimum requirements and standards for child care facilities for adoption by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS);
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(3) serve in an advisory capacity to OKDHS for developing quality child care programs and services; and
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(4) educate the public and consumers regarding quality child care.
(b) Function. The function of CCAC is to:
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(1) become informed on OKDHS programs and policies regarding children;
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(2) express the needs and concerns of the community and the State of Oklahoma as they relate to the care and treatment of children; and
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(3) bring recommendations for change, including the adoption of minimum requirements and encouraging maximum standards for child care
(c) Membership.
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(1) Representation. CCAC provides names for consideration of new appointments and reappointments of members to the director of Child Care Services. The director of Child Care Services makes recommendations for membership to the OKDHS Director. Members are appointed to serve at the pleasure of the OKDHS Director, based on their expertise, experience, and leadership in the field of child care.
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(A) CCAC at a minimum consists of 18 members.
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(B) The majority are representatives of facilities licensed by OKDHS to care for children.
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(C) Other members include at least one representative from Oklahoma State Department of Health; Oklahoma Department of Education; Office of the State Fire Marshal; tribal agencies; and Oklahoma Child Care Services (OCCS). These representatives are exempt from term limits.
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(D) Other members include associations and agencies as recommended to the OKDHS Director, such as the Oklahoma Child Care Association, Oklahoma Children's Agencies and Residential Enterprises Incorporated (OK-CARE), Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Association of Youth Services, Office of Juvenile Affairs, Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma, and Head Start.
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(E) A representative from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth serves as an ex-officio member.
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(2) Terms of office.
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(A) The terms of CCAC members are for three years with a two-consecutive-term limit. Effective November 1, 2008 members shall be appointed to CCAC for a period of three years and may be reappointed for an additional three year term.
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(B) Members may be recommended for reappointment after completing their first term of office.
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(3) Officers. The officers of CCAC are chairperson, vice‑chairperson, and secretary.
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(A) Chairperson. The chairperson is responsible for:
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(i) presiding over all meetings;
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(ii) in coordination with OCCS, planning the meeting agenda at least two weeks in advance;
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(iii) with the director of Child Care Services or representative, appointing members of subcommittees;
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(iv) moderation of public hearings; and
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(v) serves as spokesperson for CCAC.
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(B) Vice-Chairperson. The vice-chairperson works closely with the chairperson assumes the responsibilities of the chairperson in his or her absence, and attends public hearings.
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(C) Secretary. The position of secretary is held by the OCCS representative. The secretary is responsible for accurately recording the minutes of each meeting and making them available to the members prior to the next meeting. A permanent copy of the minutes is maintained by OKDHS.
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(4) Election of officers and terms of office.
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(A) Upon vacancy of office, the chairperson and vice-chairperson are elected by a majority vote of members present during the next quarterly meeting following the office vacancy. Officers assume duties during the meeting in which the election is held.
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(B) Terms of office are for one year. Officers may be elected to serve in one office for a maximum of three terms.
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(5) Subcommittees.
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(A) Subcommittees are appointed by the chairperson with consultation from OCCS and are designated to:
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(i) draft licensing requirements for child care programs and services;
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(ii) study CCAC concerns; and
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(iii) address special issues of CCAC.
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(B) The chairperson of the subcommittee is a member of CCAC.
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(C) Subcommittee members include representatives of child care programs and services with experience and expertise in the field of child care and children's services.
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(D) Subcommittees appointed to draft licensing requirements for child care programs:
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(i) present their recommendations to CCAC for approval prior to being approved by the Commission for Human Services and the Governor;
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(ii) have a majority of members who represent private child care programs affected by the requirements; and
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(iii) include representatives from licensing, including supervisory and field staff.
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(E) Standing subcommittees expand the opportunity for child care program operators to identify quality improvement resources, express concerns facing the industry, and recommend issues for consideration by CCAC.
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(i) The chairpersons of four standing subcommittees, representing family child care, child care centers, residential child care, and child-placing agencies, are appointed by CCAC chairperson CCAC membership.
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(ii) Subcommittee members are identified and recruited by the subcommittee chairpersons with consultation from OCCS.
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(iii) Subcommittees meet a minimum of twice a year.
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(iv) The subcommittee chairperson provides a written report to CCAC at least twice a year.
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(F) A standing membership subcommittee helps to insure a broad representation of licensed facilities are included within CCAC.
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(i) The chair of the standing membership subcommittee works closely with other CCAC officers and provides oversight to the standing membership subcommittee.
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(ii) The membership subcommittee meetings are held at least quarterly, prior to CCAC meetings.
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(iii) The membership subcommittee chairperson provides a written quarterly report to CCAC.
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(iv) The membership subcommittee recommends to CCAC the names for new appointments.
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(v) The membership subcommittee recommends to CCAC the re-appointment of existing members based upon their attendance and participation on CCAC subcommittees.
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(vi) The membership subcommittee recommends a slate of officers to CCAC.
(d) Meetings.
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(1) Frequency. The CCAC meets quarterly. Additional meetings may be called or regular meetings cancelled at the discretion of the chairperson and OCCS representative.
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(2) Quorum. A minimum of one third plus one of the membership must be present for a quorum.
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(3) Voting. All members or their designees must receive orientation on the goals and practices of CCAC prior to voting.
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(4) Attendance. Committee members or their designees must attend at least two Advisory Committee meetings a year or may be removed from the committee at the discretion of the CCAC or OKDHS Director.
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(5) Active participation. Advisory Committee members or their designees are required to serve on subcommittees annually.
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(6) Guidelines. The CCAC adheres to established Guidelines for Organization and Function. The practices of the CCAC are compatible with the Child Care Facilities Licensing Act.
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(7) Rules of order. Roberts Rules of Order, as amended, are used to govern the meetings.
(e) Change of bylaws. Bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed only by a majority vote of the CCAC, provided that written notice of the proposed action is given in the call to the meeting and a quorum is present.
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