Relative/neighbor child care providers across Pennsylvania will now have a strong voice to stand up for affordable, quality child care after voting by a 95 percent majority vote to join together to form a union with Child Care Providers UNITED—a new union affiliated with both AFSCME and SEIU.

They joined the 3,700 registered providers who voted to join CCP UNITED last fall, bringing together a large percentage of Pennsylvania’s home-based providers into a single, unified organization. The providers were determined to rise up for a voice, because without access to affordable health insurance through their work, and no voice in the decisions that affect the kids in their care, many couldn’t afford to stay in the profession—adding to the shortage of quality child care in the state.

With their new unified voice, these Pennsylvania providers will be able to negotiate with the state for more training opportunities, access to federal food program funds, and help with some of the barriers they face when trying to become registered.

Nearly 6,000 home-based child care providers across Maryland now have a united voice for their profession, after voting in a statewide election to form their union with SEIU Kids First by 80 percent.

“This is an exciting day for family child care providers and the kids and parents who depend on us,” said Madie Green, a provider in District Heights for more than 25 years. “Now we have the strong voice we need to stand up for affordable, quality child care in Maryland.”

The rates at which providers are reimbursed by the Maryland Department of Education are so low, and payments so unreliable, that many can’t afford to stay in the profession. Since 1994, Maryland communities have lost nearly 3,000 licensed family child care providers.

“Parents trust child care providers every day to do what’s right for our kids,” said Donya Paul, a mother from Wheaton who uses family child care. “With a united voice, our providers can work together to make child care a better place for our children and more reliable for working parents.”

Providers worked together for nearly three years to gain the right to vote for their union—forming a statewide steering council and organizing committee, and joining with parents and community advocates to lobby elected officials.

Nearly 6,000 child care providers in Oregon who united with SEIU Local 503 recently scored a major victory for child care in their state. In a historic agreement with Oregon Governor Tim Kulongoski, providers won both job improvements and better access to affordable care for working parents.

In October of this year, providers in Oregon will see rate increases of an average 18 percent. In addition, license-exempt providers will receive a 7 percent increase for completing a training program they established to improve their skills.

The historic agreement also helped thousands of families afford quality child care-by raising the eligibility cutoff for child care assistance from 150 percent of the federal poverty level to 185 percent, and reducing parent copays by 20 percent.

“As a mother and a grandmother who takes care of my grandchildren, this program is not only well-deserved and needed, but is greatly appreciated by parents,” said Crystal Shnexnayder, a provider and SEIU Local 503 member from Hillsboro.

Family child care providers in Washington are celebrating a major victory for their profession and for the kids in their care.

A landmark contract with the governor’s office will improve wages, training, and access to health care. These improvements will help reduce turnover and make it easier for parents to find consistent, quality care for their children.

“We joined together to make sure kids in our communities get the care they need,” said Sandra VanDoren, a provider in Spokane. “This contract will help child care providers keep doing the work we love.” [More about the contract]

A team of providers from across the state negotiated the agreement, which was signed November 10, 2006 and ratified by providers in December. It covers 11,000 providers.

• New subsidy rates give parents more affordable child care options and increase providers’ wages up to 31 percent.
  
• Incentives and funding for providers to get additional training
  
• Access to affordable health insurance for many providers, so kids get more consistent care.
  
• Nutritious meals for thousands of children in license-exempt care who will now qualify for the USDA Food Program.
  
• A path for license-exempt providers to receive training and become licensed.

April Allen, SEIU Kids First provider
from Providence, testifies at the
Rhode Island StatehouseSEIU family child care providers won two victories for affordable, quality child care last month in the Rhode Island legislature, beating back a co-payment hike and gaining access to biweekly pay through direct deposit.

In June 2006, Gov. Carcieri raised out of pocket costs by nearly $700 per year for many families who receive child care assistance. SEIU providers immediately began calling and visiting their representatives to ask them to reverse the hike and help more parents afford quality child care. Just weeks after it took effect, SEIU providers got the legislature to reduce the co-pay increase by half.

Providers also won access to biweekly direct deposit for child care reimbursements. Many family child care providers go an entire month between reimbursement checks—longer when checks are lost or late. Beginning in January, providers in Rhode Island will have access to a more reliable system for reimbursements, so they can deliver more consistent, high-quality care for their kids.