Providers’ Input Meeting October 9, 2014 In attendance: CDE • Debra McMannis (Director) • Guadalupe Romo-Zendejas (Field Coordinator for Northern CA) • Lupita Cortez Alcala (Instruction & Learning Support) SEIU • Mary Gutierrez Khopkar • Alexa Frankenberg • Nannette Ricon • Lladira Baez AFSME • Janet Cleveland Child Care Providers • Yessika Magdaleno • Tonia McMillian • Delmie Mikiley • Agustina Garcia • Debra Corley • Rita Guess • Guillermina Hernandez Meeting Notes: Since we had many new faces in the room we did quick round of introductions and then jumped right into the agenda as followed: 1.Clarification on agencies requiring English proficiency of providers (4C’s and LA Mission College Network) •CDE let us know there is no such requirements by the Department nor the State Bad Actors in this case is 4C’s in Santa Clara where earlier this year a case of discrimination was filed by Spanish speaking providers whose contracts were not renewed for the Early Head Start program. CDE once again stressed providers should file an appeal for “Quality of Care” to address 4C’s short comings. The group was very outraged about what we all view as discriminatory behavior towards our providers and asked if there was more we could do, CDE said they would follow up with 4C’s. •CDE met with LMCN about translating their handbook into Spanish. At this time LMCN is working on getting the translation done and said they are willing to work with us on this oversight. 2. Discussion: Children’s Home Society’s (CHS) refusal to allow union representation at providers meetings •Although CDE cannot force CHS to include union representation at these meetings they will strongly remind them that providers can bring whoever they want with them to these meetings for representation including their union. 3.Discussion: on agencies implementing a 50% Cap on subsidized referrals to providers •Certain Agencies are moving Children out of provider’s care stating that they are over the 50% Cap even though these providers are the Parent’s primary choice for care. Parents have been threaten that their funding would be pulled if they do not comply with relocation of the children to (in some cases) the agency run centers. Alexa reminded CDE that years ago the State had a 75% Cap which it did away with a few years ago. CDE stated that the rationing behind the Cap was a way to balance the rates being charged by providers for subsidized care with what they charged their private care families. It was pointed out that providers may not have any private care families leaving spots open in their Child Care homes. Providers also shared that in some cases the agent of the agency would come to the provider’s home and physically pull the children out. CDE said that in these cases parents should file an appeal with the Department this would hold up any removal until we can address this issue. 4.Clarification on implementation of new signature policy •This new policy is for families participating in either the Alternative Payment Program or families that use Cal Works the changes now require both Parents and Providers to sign in once a month. All others still sign in daily. However agencies are slow in notifying parents of the changes. CDE said they will send out a reminder to the agencies but that providers should notify their parents as well. 5.Clarification on “new rating system” Is it true that starting at the end of 2015 providers with more educational units will get paid more per the QRIS (Quality Rating and Improvement System)? •CDE stated that California received 50 million dollars in Federal Pre-school grant for local QRIS, fiscal year 2014-2015 (this grant will be ongoing annually and is part of Prop 98 funds which have been appropriated as part of SB 858 trailer budget) to build annually through new programs and partnerships. Local or Regional QIRS have 5 components and must include 1st Five, R&R, and LEA (Local Schools). One of the other two components are open to our Family Child Care Homes. The purpose of this funding opportunity is support for local early learning quality rating and improvement systems that would increase the number of low-income children in “high-quality preschool programs” there will also be Sub-grantees with a focus on special needs children. CDE also stated that there are other opportunities for Family Child Care providers through the 4000 expansion slots and another 1000 slots for CCPR (Infants and Toddlers). We should find out about the regional breakdown sometime in December 2014. Next meeting January 29, 2015 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 06:17:00 +0000
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