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! ]]>Child Care Providers Win Historic Contracthttp://www.kidsfirstmaryland.org/news/2009/6/12/child-care-providers-win-historic-contract.htmlKids First MD WebManager2009-06-12T15:52:51ZIn 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

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!

Read the entire text here

We urge all child care providers to take every precaution to help ensure the health and safety of themselves, their families, and the children in their care.

Swine Flu Resources

The National Association for the Education of Young Children has posted recommendations for child care providers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Contra Costa (California) Health Department has created a downloadable child care provider resource kit with sample letters to parents, checklists, posters and more to help prevent the spread of the flu in your daycare.
En espanol

If you have questions or concerns about swine flu, pandemic response plans, or possible cases in your area, please contact your local health department.

KidsFirst Maryland will offer a number of its members the opportunity to take part in this national event at a discounted rate. These scholarships allow members to come together with other KidsFirst providers from across the country, and the national and state associations to celebrate and improve family child care.

> Apply now!

> Read more

Now comes the work of solving the health care crisis. Congressman Steny Hoyer (from Maryland’s 5th District) will hold a town hall meeting the evening of Monday, April 20 to discuss “the Future of Health Care in America.” We hope you’ll join us, Progessive Maryland, and others as we make our voices heard on behalf of working families.

Sat, 4/18 - Anne Arundel County
North County Library, Glen Burnie, 10am - noon.

Sat, 4/18 - Baltimore County
Randallstown Library, 10am - noon.
Contact Letty Sexton at (301) 385-1901.

Sat, 5/2 - Prince George’s County (Bowie)
Contact Cynthia Jones at (301) 385-3390.

Meetings were recently held in Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore Counties. If you weren’t able to attend and would like more information, contact your regional Kids First MD staff member. ]]>