(a)  The department may establish a child care advocate program. This program may have one child care advocate for each licensing district regional office providing child care licensing services. A chief child care advocate shall be responsible for operations of the program and shall report to the chief of the child care licensing branch.

Each child care advocate shall have knowledge of state child care laws, regulations, and programs. The child care advocate’s duties shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1)  Providing information to the general public and parents on child care licensing standards and regulations.

(2)  Serving as a liaison to local business, community, law enforcement, labor, and education groups, as well as child care providers and consumers, for the purpose of providing information about licensing standards and regulations.

(3)  Disseminating information on the state’s licensing role and activities, child care resource and referral agencies, and other child care programs.

(4)  Acting as a liaison to child care resource and referral agencies to provide current information on licensing regulations, procedures, violations, revocations, and activities.

(5)  Evaluating and seeking to resolve complaints and concerns communicated on behalf of children served by a child day care facility. Complaints shall be handled in an objective manner to ascertain the pertinent facts. The child care advocate may refer any complaint to the appropriate state or local government agency.

(6)  Seeking to mediate disputes between the department and child care licensees, where licensees allege misapplication of licensing regulations and have exercised any initial appeal rights as specified in Section 1596.842.

(b)  The child care advocate shall have access to child day care facilities and shall have the authority to speak with children and staff.

(c)  The department may implement this section only to the extent funds are available in accordance with Section 18285.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 229, Sec. 11. Effective August 16, 2004.)