By DIANE S. WLLIAMS

District Council 37 gave members’ families a helping hand March 31 at its second Childcare Information Fair. The event helped parents navigate all stages of child rearing, from the cradle to college.

“Childcare is an increasingly important need for our members,” said Dennis Sullivan, a DC 37 deputy administrator. “The fair is a way for DC 37 to bring this issue to the forefront.” In bargaining, Mr. Sullivan said, the union has continued to press the city on childcare issues for union members.

The childcare fair has become an important family affair at DC 37 headquarters, and hundreds of members brought their children for fun and games and loads of information. Representatives from the Agency for Child Development helped parents learn about day care safety standards, childcare subsidies, programs for children with special needs and other public services.

Parents also learned about health and nutrition for their children and received information on affordable summer camps, including the New York City Central Labor Council’s Summer Camp Program.

“I came looking for reliable day care for my two small children,” said Local 1549 member Geraldine Alday. “The fair was helpful because I got to speak one-on-one with professionals who helped me find an affordable summer day camp for my son that’s close to home.”

“This fair was important to me as a working parent,” said Local 384 member Nwe Oo. “It was an easier, more organized way of getting good information for my child’s future.”

The DC 37 Childcare Information Fair is sponsored by the union’s Irish Heritage and Health and Nutrition Committees with the Health and Security Plan, the Personal Services Unit, and the Education Fund.

“Increased participation at these two fairs shows that DC 37 is moving in the right direction on this issue,” said Kristina Bas, one of the event’s coordinators. “Parents have made it very clear that childcare is a pressing need, and we are doing our best to support them with services and information.”

If you want to attend the next Childcare Information Fair, which will be held on Sept. 22 at union headquarters, and you need childcare services for that day, please pre-register by completing the coupon below and returning it to union headquarters by Aug. 1. Childcare services will be provided to the first 100 pre-registered children; due to limited space, the union can only provide care for up to two children per household.

For more information, please call (212) 815-1250.