Our overloaded child care system is failing children and families. The authors explain what children of different ages--and their families--need, and what kinds of programs are necessary in light of current social and economic realities.

In his opening statement at this hearing, committee chairman Senator Joseph Biden mentioned the National Child Protection Act of 1991; praised Oprah Winfrey's efforts to support programs and legislation to prevent sexual abuse of children; presented data on the incidence of sexual abuse of children in the home and in day care centers; and discussed the implementation of a national system of conducting background checks on individuals who apply for employment in child care occupations. Eight other senators who were members of the committee presented statements. Oprah Winfrey presented a statement in which she discussed the implementation of a background check system, explained how children who are sexual abuse victims often blame themselves for their abuse, and described the experiences of sexually abused children as they mature. Five other individuals offered verbal and prepared statements on the implementation of the background check system, presented data on child sexual abuse, and commented on issues related to the sexual abuse of children. (BC)