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We learned how to conduct effective one-on-one meetings and discussed the elements of a good meeting. Building our skills to conduct effective one-on-ones and meetings will help us build strong VOICE Chapters across the state. We introduced ourselves to each other and committed to pay membership dues. Some of us wrote checks that day. Carolyn Reid, Suffolk County said “I look forward to paying dues because the money will give us more power to help serve the parents and children that we care for every day.” We make a commitment to reach out and talk with other VOICE members about dues and to continue to encourage providers who are not yet members of VOICE to join. We agreed that gathering at CSEA Regional Offices and connecting via video-conference is productive. Moving forward, we agreed to hold leadership training quarterly. Watch the calendar for more information. For more information about VOICE and membership visit our Join VOICE page or call 877-483-CSEA (2732).
New Child Care Services RegulationsNew 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.Child Care Market Rates 2011-2013 IssuedThe new market rate regulations were adopted as a final rule on September 28, 2011 and became effective on October 1, 2011.New Market Rate Video for 2011NYS 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.New Fees for SCR ClearancesThe 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. Ratio GuidanceHow will my licensor or registrar decide whether I can accommodate additional children?Expand/Collapse
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 ImplementationGovernor 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.
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  Read VOICE newspaper (Fall 2011)Lea el periódico VOICE en español.
Archives: Read VOICE newspaper (Spring 2011)Lea el periódico VOICE en español.
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"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."
Beginning December 28, 2012, any crib provided by child care facilities and family child care homes must meet new and improved federal safety standards. The new standards take effect for manufacturers, retailers, importers and distributors on June 28, 2011, addressing deadly hazards previously seen with traditional drop-side rails, requiring more durable hardware and parts and mandating more rigorous testing.
