Over the past three years, providers in Prince George’s County reported the state was not meeting deadlines for POC payments — some providers had gone without pay from the state for two months.

So when the child care contract went into effect, providers used it to file a grievance. Out of that grievance, MSDE, the Department of Human Resources and the Department of Social Services in Prince
George’s County began to fix the problem:

1. They hired additional staff and reassigned others at the PG County DSS office to help clear up the backlog of POC vouchers.

2. MSDE now requires monthly reports from the PG County DSS office to monitor the system.

3. Most importantly, the state has committed to work with SEIU Local 500 to contact banks, utility companies, and other creditors about delaying action if a provider runs into trouble paying bills
because of late POC payments.

“I’ve been helping organize my fellow providers in Prince George’s County for years now, and I can say late payments were a continual problem. Some providers hadn’t been paid in months and had no idea who to turn to. Some even got behind on their mortgages because of late payments or left the profession entirely.

“The system was broken and, try as we may, we couldn’t fix it until we formed a union and built a formal relationship with the state. Now when we have a problem, we’ve got each other and the union and the structure of a contract to help us work through it. We don’t have to struggle alone.”

Madie Green
District Heights, MD

Providers won an increase in subsidy rates of 3 percent on average; access to important decision-making committees, including the Child Care Advisory Council; and new training and health care advisory committees. Plus, the state will now be held accountable for late payments, and parents will not have their co-pays increased as a result of the agreement.

Voting in a landslide to ratify the contract (669-24 in favor), we showed that we know it’s time for change in Maryland’s child care subsidy program. We also showed that we believe in ourselves and our ability, working together, to make those changes. We now have to roll up our sleeves and get down to work.

We need folks to sit on these new committees and help create a strong future for child care in Maryland. Call (866) 623-5707 to get involved!

In a historic move, your provider bargaining commitee has settled our first contract with the Department of Education and the Governor’s Office. Pending member approval, our contract will provide security and equality for Maryland providers, families, and children.

Here’s some of what we’ve won: the formation a new joint Training Committee that will analyze the current training system and recommend future improvements, an average statewide subsidy increase of nearly 3 percent, and no increase in co-pay rates for parents.

 > Read a letter from the bargaining team & contract highlights

> View the entire tentative contract

As you know, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is working to ensure that true health care reform becomes a reality this year. That means affordable, quality coverage for every American.

Please share your health care story with us. We’ll pass it along to Congress and help make your voice heard.

> Email KidsFirst Maryland today!

Governor O’Malley has issued a proclamation in honor of Provider Appreciation Day “”to recognize and commend the unselfish dedication, commitment and compassion that child care providers demonstrate every day.”

Read the entire text here