S. 3155: Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes Act

This bill, known as the Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes Act or the COACH Act, aims to enhance support for small businesses operating as childcare providers. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Purpose of the Bill

The main intent of the bill is to amend the Small Business Act by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and regularly update a resource guide specifically for small businesses that provide childcare services.

Resource Guide Publication

The bill mandates the SBA to publish or update this resource guide:

• Within one year after the bill becomes law.
• Every five years thereafter.

The guide will be tailored to various business models relevant to childcare services as determined by the SBA.

Contents of the Resource Guide

The resource guide must include various forms of assistance and guidance for small childcare providers on several key issues:

• Operations: This includes advice on marketing and management planning.
• Finances: Guidance on financial planning, securing financing, payroll management, and insurance.
• Compliance: Information on adhering to relevant laws, such as the Internal Revenue Code.
• Training and Safety: Recommendations regarding equipment, materials, and safety practices.
• Quality: Insights on maintaining quality standards and eligibility for funding under federal childcare programs.
• Other Matters: Any additional topics deemed appropriate by the SBA Administrator.

Consultation Process

Before publishing or updating the resource guide, the SBA Administrator is required to consult with:

• The Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• Representatives from lead agencies designated under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act.
• Local or regional childcare resource and referral organizations.
• Other relevant entities as determined by the Administrator.

Publication and Distribution

The law further stipulates that the published resource guide should be accessible on a publicly available website, in both English and the ten most commonly spoken languages in the United States, which includes languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean.

The SBA must also distribute the guide to its district offices and to organizations that work directly with small childcare providers, including:

• Women’s business centers.
• Small business development centers.
• Chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
• Veteran Business Outreach Centers.

Relevance to Childcare Providers

The bill aims to assist small childcare providers, particularly those who may have limited administrative capacity. This is designed to enhance operational effectiveness and compliance with regulations, thereby potentially improving the quality of childcare services available to families.

Relevant Companies

None found.