In 1989, Governor Norman Bangerter appointed a committee to conduct a comprehensive study of child care in Utah. As a result of the study, legislation was enacted in 1990 creating the Office of Child Care as an office within the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

In 1991, the Department of Human Services (DHS) contracted with the Office of Child Care to develop a statewide child care resource and referral network and to provide training and career development opportunities for child care givers. The Office of Child Care assumed new responsibilities with the addition of before-and-after school contracts in 1994. During the 1997 Legislative Session, HB184 (Youth Prevention Programs) was passed. This bill authorized an additional $145,000 be spent on community and youth programs.

The Office of Child Care was integrated into the Department of Workforce Services in 1997. This new alliance facilitated the addition of work/life activities in the office. The Office of Child Care assists families in being successful in the workforce. This is accomplished by the following programs that support both families and child care providers:

• Assisted Child Care
• Child Care Resource & Referral
• Infant/Toddler & Early Childhood Initiatives
• School Age Initiatives
• Training & Professional Development
• Work/Life Support and Development