We are VOICE/CSEA: a union made up of and working for family childcare providers from across New York State, organizing for power to take on challenges facing us and the children and families we serve.
Mother's Day unifies the nation as we all scurry to find the right Hallmark card, fancy flowers or some proverbial chocolates to honor she who labored us into this world. The treats, however, can't sweeten a bitter fact: our country, while touting that it values families, gives scant evidence of doing so, particularly when it comes to infants and their care. Our public policies in these arenas could, but don't, give mothers (and fathers) who work outside the home what they need to nurture our next generation.
Mother's Day unifies the nation as we all scurry to find the right Hallmark card, fancy flowers or some proverbial chocolates to honor she who labored us into this world. The treats, however, can't sweeten a bitter fact: our country, while touting that it values families, gives scant evidence of doing so, particularly when it comes to infants and their care. Our public policies in these arenas could, but don't, give mothers (and fathers) who work outside the home what they need to nurture our next generation.
In an effort to recognize the hard work and dedication of child care providers across New York State, Governor Cuomo has proclaimed May 11, 2012 as "Provider Appreciation Day!"
Here at CSEA we think every day should be Provider Appreciation Day. You are unsung heroes, nurturing and teaching young children during the most ciritical developmental period of their lives.
The work you do each and every day supports working parents and our communities. Yours is one of the most important jobs there is. It takes a special person to do this work. On this 2012 Provider Appreciation Day, I recognize, commend and appreciate the dedication, commitment and and compassion you bring to the work you do each and every day.
I am honored to work beside you to build a better future for family child care and the children and families who depend on you. Welcome to our CSEA family.
For New York State Child Care Providers. The Week of the Young Child™ is April 22-28, 2012.
The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration that focuses public attention on the needs of young children and their families and recognizes the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
Erie County: Child care eligibility rules to expand
More families in Erie County will be eligible for child care subsidies starting next month.
County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz announced Monday he will increase the county's eligibility rules to allow families who earn up to twice as much as the federal poverty level to access subsidized child care.
VOICE/CSEA receives local press attention in the North Country
Please keep in mind the following information which was discluded from the article while reading:
Unions, by law have a "duty of fair representation". It is a protection designed to regulate unions and ensure all workers in a given bargaining unit are represented fairly, in good faith, and without discrimination. In other words, it was put in place so unions could not discriminate between members and non-members interests. In fairness, since there is also a cost associated with providing representation to non-members unions are by law also permitted to recover the cost of bargaining on behalf of non-members, administering the contract as well as other required duties of equal representation. This is the fair share fee. The fair share fee is used to this purpose. DUES PAYS for VOICE/CSEA staff and other costs associated with running the organization: mailing, travel for meetings, and support from CSEA’s departments: legislative / political action, legal, communications, research, field and member services, and from AFSCME. When chapters are up and running, VOICE/CSEA, Local 100A will keep a substantial portion of the dues to pay for the cost of running the statewide organization.
VOICE/CSEA joins forces with CSEA Southern Region to fight against daycare cuts in Westchester
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced yesterday he plans to increase parent co-pays by 15 percent and cap eligibility at 206 families. He claims the County has run out of money and will not be able to fund the full year. This is despite the fact that the program is fully funded in the 2012 budget as a result of a veto override and subsequent approval by the County Legislature. CSEA Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo worked together with VOICE/CSEA to push back, slamming Astorino and his decision to disregard the Legislature's decision, which might be illegal. It is without question out of line and disrespectful of the democratic process, and most importantly hurtful for struggling families.
Funding to Be Offered to Help Low-Income Parents Move Back Into Workforce
ALBANY, NY (01/10/2012)(readMedia)-- The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) and the State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) today announced New York has received $16.5 million in federal funding to help low-income parents pay for child care, allowing them to improve their skills and successfully enter the workforce.
Providers speak out: why dues and fair share fees are necessary to grow our union.
"When some of us approached VOICE/CSEA for help in 2002, we had no idea we’d be able to accomplish so much. With CSEA’s support for the past 10 years, we fought for and won the right to form a union and negotiate our first contract with the state. Maintaining child care subsidy reimbursement rates, $500 Quality Grants, changes in adult-child ratios, the extended licensing renewal period, expanded access to professional development and health insurance are just some of the benefits we gained for all registered family and licensed group family providers. There is still more work to do and we must ensure the same kind of progress in the years to come. Paying union dues or fair share fee is a good investment in my business and the children and families I serve."
- Pam Wells, Washington County
"A 2% deduction from my DSS check for 'fair share' or union dues seems fair to me. I used the $500 from the VOICE CSEA Quality Program Grant funds to purchase toys, puzzles and books to improve my program. I was also able to enroll another pre-schooler when they changed the adult-child ratios increasing my income. Plus, union dues are tax deductible."
- Sheila Lewis, Monroe County
"Organizing people— thousands of home-based child care providers across New York (outside NYC) — is how we won rights, respect and our first contract with the Office of Children and Family Services and New York State. Now it is time to organize our money so we can keep what we’ve gained and reach the goals we set at our statewide meeting on May 14th in Albany. Dues and fair share fees support the work we do to make things better for ourselves and the children and families we serve."
- Darcel Leone, Suffolk County
Frequently Asked Questions Page
We now have a frequently asked questions page added to the website. This page includes information to learn more about dues and fees. It can be found under Resources -> FAQ's.
New Program Integrity Regulations added to the Child Care Subsidy Regulations. These regulations promote the fiscal integrity of the Child Care Subsidy program by establishing a clear regulatory basis for holding child care providers accountable for committing fraud.
NYS OCFS sets maximum reimbursement rates for child care subsidies every 2 years. The purpose of these rates is to ensure that parents receiving subsidized child care have equal access to child care as parents not receiving subsidies.
The change in the law now requires that prospective day care providers and applicants for employment in day care programs be charged a $25 fee for any database checks conducted through the SCR.
How will my licensor or registrar decide whether I can accommodate additional children?
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Before enrolling additional children, your OCFS Regional Office must complete an inspection to determine that your program can accommodate additional children. OCFS issued the following guidance to licensors and registrars regarding inspections to approve additional enrollment.
"The method to determine whether a provider has adequate space to care for an increase in capacity or additional children under the age of two has not changed. Licensors and registrars will use the guidelines and methods already in place. As you know, caring for infants includes having adequate space for napping, diapering, dressing, eating and playing. Infants need a quiet, calm environment away from too much stimulation from older children. Toddlers need space to be active learners and develop motor competence and sensory motor intelligence. School age children need a safe and secure environment that fosters their growing independence. Licensors/registrars must assess the needs of the children in care with the environment in which they will receive that care. There is no standard set that would include a numerical formula such as square footage requirement. Licensors/registrars can ask questions of the provider such as: where will children nap? Play? Study? Eat? Napping mats or cots can be one tool a licensor/registrar may use in assessing a program's space, but it should not be the only consideration. Assess the program's activities against the overall space needed to perform those activities. Licensors/registrars may also recommend that a provider open up a space by removing a piece of furniture or assessing what space may already be available in the home to be utilized for child care."
Governor SIGNS A.8827A/S.3895B - OCFS Issues Guidance on Implementation
Governor Paterson signed A.8827A/S.3895B on Wednesday, June 16. Since the late 1990's, home-based child care providers across New York have been working to secure the changes to ratios that are included in this bill. We made securing ratio changes a top priority when we sat down to negotiate with OCFS. Finally, the Bill that enables OCFS to implement the changes we negotiated has been passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor. Our e-mails, phone calls, the on-going work of our CSEA lobbyists in Albany and our focused persistence in the face of the challenges were the combined ingredients of our success.
Child care providers across the state have told us that securing affordable homeowners and liability insurance isn't easy. We are beginning to document this challenge so that we have up-to-date information to share with our elected officials. We hope you will take time to complete the liability / homeowners insurance survey on our website.
In an effort to recognize the hard work and dedication of child care providers across New York State, Governor Cuomo has proclaimed May 11, 2012 as "Provider Appreciation Day!"
"When some of us approached VOICE/CSEA for help in 2002, we had no idea we’d be able to accomplish so much. With CSEA’s support for the past 10 years, we fought for and won the right to form a union and negotiate our first contract with the state. Maintaining child care subsidy reimbursement rates, $500 Quality Grants, changes in adult-child ratios, the extended licensing renewal period, expanded access to professional development and health insurance are just some of the benefits we gained for all registered family and licensed group family providers. There is still more work to do and we must ensure the same kind of progress in the years to come. Paying union dues or fair share fee is a good investment in my business and the children and families I serve."
"A 2% deduction from my DSS check for 'fair share' or union dues seems fair to me. I used the $500 from the VOICE CSEA Quality Program Grant funds to purchase toys, puzzles and books to improve my program. I was also able to enroll another pre-schooler when they changed the adult-child ratios increasing my income. Plus, union dues are tax deductible."
"Organizing people— thousands of home-based child care providers across New York (outside NYC) — is how we won rights, respect and our first contract with the Office of Children and Family Services and New York State. Now it is time to organize our money so we can keep what we’ve gained and reach the goals we set at our statewide meeting on May 14th in Albany. Dues and fair share fees support the work we do to make things better for ourselves and the children and families we serve."
