Child-Care Center Investigation

This letter is in response to “FBI Probes Tax-Funded Child-Care Foundation” (Feb. 13). There are some factual errors that we believe need correction.

First, The Times’ headline, “Learning in Luxury,” gives the reader the distinct impression that state money is generous and that it provides some programs with so much extra that they can provide luxury items. The Foundation Center receives 65 cents per day less per child than other child-care contractors. Our agency strains to keep administration costs to one of the lowest ratios in the state. We don’t hold others to our standard but we want the public to understand that we do more with less.

Second, The Times presented an issue of whether “the executive director, Marilyn K. Prosser, used money from the nonprofit organization to purchase property in her own name and lease it back to the organization.” The story did note that the Foundation Center asserts that no public moneys were used for this purpose. There is nothing illegal or improper about this relationship, and under the laws that govern child-care programs as long as certain protections are observed it is permissible.

Third, The Times’ story reported on short-term loans and high fees that were paid to lenders. To set the record straight, Prosser reimburses the agency for these fees. It is very important for the public to understand that these short-term loans are an unfortunate, but necessary, tool used by this agency to cover payroll and other expenses, such as food, when the State Department of Education checks are late to child-care contractors.

It is extremely difficult for a state-funded agency dedicated to the education of California’s poorest children to overcome the negative public perception that is invited by an FBI investigation. Unfortunately, what our employees and supporters have learned is that you are guilty until proved innocent by these and other investigations that we have had to endure. During this time, we hold before our eyes the shining light of the children who attend our centers and homes because it is for their future that we continue to struggle.

MARCELLA FLORES

President, Board of Directors

The Foundation Center, Sacramento

* As a working parent struggling to pay for day care on my salary, I was outraged at your article, “Learning in Luxury.” According to your article, the publicly funded child-care program provides service for immigrant and poor children in California.

While parents like me are struggling to pay for child care and put food on the table, a program funded by my tax dollars is spending $6 for a tube of natural toothpaste and serving organically grown food for the lunch menu, which is served on china, with lit candles and flowers on the table. I buy my toothpaste at a discount store. The major part of our family entertainment is derived from the public library from books and videos. Lately, our access to the library has been reduced because our library is closed three days a week and open hours reduced.

The arrogance and ignorance of our Legislature and the California Department of Education still surprise me. The California budget has a serious deficit this year and yet we continue to authorize spending money in such an outrageous manner. According to your article, the State Department of Education granted the foundation responsible for this program another full year contract even though the foundation is under investigation by the FBI for misuse of funds.

A. PHILLIPS

Garden Grove