COUNTYWIDE : Opinions on Child-Care Funds Sought

Parents, day-care workers and others involved in child care in Ventura County will have their chance in early June to influence how federal funds for child care are spent here.

Four public hearings will help determine how the state spends Ventura County’s share of funds available later this year under the new Federal Child Care Block Grant Act, said Julie Irving, executive director of the nonprofit Child Development Resources agency.

California will receive about $67 million, Irving said.

The need for more child care for low-income families is clear, Irving said.

For instance, one state-funded child-care program that her agency administers has a waiting list of about 1,200 children for 300 slots.

Child Development Resources requests that people giving testimony at the hearings limit comments to five minutes.

Those unable to attend may submit written testimony before June 7.

The times and locations of the hearings are: Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Mandalay Beach Hotel in Oxnard; June 3 at 10 a.m. at Simi Valley Library; June 5 at 7 p.m. at Isbell School in Santa Paula, and June 7 at 10 a.m. at Thousand Oaks Library.

Call 487-4931 for information.