ARTICLE .

8.

Section 1 - Policy and Purpose

The parties recognize that working parents may have special child care needs during working hours. The parties recognize the need for such parents to secure appropriate child care arrangements. The Department will continue its efforts to secure adequate funding in order to support and foster child care services for its employees.

Section 2 - Child Care Activities

A. The Department will continue to provide and/or support various activities in order to meet ongoing child care needs. These may include, but are not limited to, such things as child care and parenting information, child care resource and referral information, workshops, and counseling as available through the Employee Assistance Program.

B. It is the Department's intention to utilize available funds nationwide to foster local solutions to child care needs. These may include construction of on-site facilities or near-site facilities, participation in shared facilities with other federal agencies, establishment of mini-centers, or other child care services.

C. In accordance with PL 101-509 of the 1991 GSA Appropriations Act, the Department agrees to pay legally permissible expenses for training, conferences, or other meetings in connection with the provision of child care services for persons employed to provide child care services if the Department determines that such training, etc., is relevant and necessary. The Department also agrees to pay similar expenses for Department employees who have oversight responsibilities for the operation of child care facilities, i.e., members of local child care committees and boards of directors, if it is determined such training is relevant and necessary.

D. The head of each facility or appropriate designee will provide inquiring employees with current listings of the qualified, licensed child care centers in the immediate area. Recognizing that a broad range of child care needs exists in compiling such listings, management will request specific information i.e., age groups served, types of program offered, and special needs program.

Section 3 - Local Child Care Committees

A. When a site for a VA Child Care Center is selected, the parties will establish a local committee comprised of one management representative, one Union representative, parents, and other parties as appropriate. The Department will have subject matter experts available to meet with the Committee on an as- needed basis. The Committee will guide development of the local child care program, including development of marketing strategies, operating procedures, and admission priorities.

B. The Committee will have the opportunity to review and make recommendations which will be considered in the design of the facility. The Committee will participate in the selection of the child care provider.

C. Once the Center becomes operational, the Committee will be replaced by a Board of Directors which the Committee will assist in establishing. The Union will designate one representative to serve on the Board of Directors.

D. Committee members will be on duty time when performing Child Care Committee functions.

Section 4 - Employee Needs

A. It is agreed that the responsible official will grant emergency annual leave requests and consider emergency requests for leave without pay brought about by unexpected changes in child care arrangements, contingent upon operational exigency.

B. The Department agrees to utilize programs which may assist employees with child care needs; for example, part-time employment, job sharing, leave, flextime, etc.

C. The Department recognizes that it may be necessary for employees to contact child care providers during duty hours.

Section 5 - Facilities

In accordance with 40 USC 490(b), the Department will provide space, equipment, furnishings, and other services necessary to support the operation of each child care facility on federal property.

Section 6 - Miscellaneous

The parties agree that this Article will not delay or impact on any pending child care initiatives. The Union will be kept informed of the child care initiatives.