Labor Relations in Child Care (LBCS 94C)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 2:37PM | Admin 
The October 2009 edition of Child Care Providers United of Pennsylvania's news bulletin is now available.
Please feel free to download the bulletin if you haven't received it in the mail already.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 11:37AM | Admin After years of debate, CCPUnited recently persuaded Pennsylvania Child Care Information Services (CCIS) to offer direct deposit to family providers.
Providers across the state are thrilled.
“Direct deposit is very reliable, because you don’t have to worry about your money or your check getting lost in the mail,” said child care provider Diane Matthews from Pittsburgh. “You can call your bank and find out if your money has been deposited and then start spending!”
Direct deposit is a widely accepted payment option allowing workers to receive their subsidy reimbursements directly in their bank account.
Friday, September 11, 2009 at 4:30PM | Admin The latest news concerning negotiations over Pennsylvania's state budget has the Republicans in the state senate continuing to insist that the budget be balanced by spending cuts alone.
This tactic appears to be an attempt to force a budget deal that will ultimately harm the Keystone State by costing taxpayers billions down the road.
Raise your voice! Contact your legislators or get in touch with Child Care Providers United at 1-866-647-3330.
Our Executive Director Bonnie Caldwell can be reached at 814-761-7277.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 4:51PM | Admin Our sources have confirmed that the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has consented to recognize Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of Pennsylvania as a union that represents child care providers and to convene a joint meeting with CCPUnited once a year but precious little else.
OCDEL has effectively rejected all of the substantive proposals that CCPUnited has presented in the following areas: rights for exempt providers (i.e., relative and neighbor providers), dues, dispute resolution, provider rates, billing and subsidy payments, professional development, and the creation of a state-provider cooperation committee.
This, despite $60 million worth of federal stimulus money from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to subsidize provider payments and nearly $9 million in ARRA funds for education and training.
In fact, OCDEL is planning to increase payment rates for child care providers working in centers while reducing payments for family child care providers supplying care during non-traditional hours.
In addition, OCDEL is planning to execute a new rule that establishes a requirement of 12 hours of training for exempt providers (i.e., relative and neighbor providers) without providing the necessary resources.
OCDEL failed to notify CCPUnited of these changes during negotiations, nor have they provided substantive counter-proposals to CCPUnited's ARRA-specific proposals that would address these changes in payment rates and regulations.
Despite these setbacks, CCPUnited is committed to forging an agreement that meets the needs of our members. Please keep checking this space for updates.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 6:47PM | Admin If this is true, it is only because U.S. Representative Joe Sestak has said that he may challenge Specter in the 2010 Democratic primary in Pennsylvania.
It is clear that Specter has not arrived at these positions on his own. He has needed to be pressured in one form or another every step of the way.
We have to make sure that Specter does indeed support the Employee Free Choice Act in its most robust form; that is, as it is currently written.
If this is the case, then we must make sure to hold Specter to this promise.
Let's take the time to let Specter know that we won't vote for him, unless he supports the Employee Free Choice Act in its current and most robust form.
First, make sure that you are registered to vote.
Then let's start the phone calls, letters, faxes, and e-mails coming.
Call Arlen Specter.
202-224-3841
Mail Arlen Specter.
711 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax Arlen Specter.
202-228-1229
E-mail Arlen Specter.
info@specter2010.com
We will continue to keep you updated about the Employee Free Choice Act, what Congress is doing to help child care providers, and and how you can help.
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 11:32AM | Admin ;)
CCPUnited Pennsylvania rallies at the state capitol in Harrisburg.Harrisburg, PA—May 12th was an exciting day for child care providers in Pennsylvania. More than 300 providers came together at the state capitol in Harrisburg to tell our elected officials how important child care is to children, parents, and the community. Providers met with their legislators and participated in a large-scale rally.
This year’s theme was “We [child care providers] are on the right track.”
Our message to legislators was that even in difficult economic times, it is important and necessary to fund child care programs.
;)
Members of CCPUnited Pennsylvania arrive at the state capitol in Harrisburg.Many home-based providers attended the event. Providers came from numerous parts of Pennsylvania including Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Clearfield, and Philadelphia.
“It was my first time attending an event like this, and I was surprised that so many people cared enough to come together in Harrisburg to talk to legislators about something so important—child care. It was also exciting, educational, informative, and well-put together,” said Vanessa Fancher of Pittsburgh.
Legislators in Harrisburg must continue to hear from all of us!
;)
CCPUnited Pennsylvania members Ardelia Terry & Diane Mathews w/ Representative David K. Levdansky (D) at the state capitol.
;)
CCPUnited Pennsylvania at the state capitol in Harrisburg.
;)
CCPUnited Pennsylvania members & Representative Camille "Bud" George (D) at the state capitol.
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:30AM | Admin 
Please join us for a legislative visit with elected officials in Harrisburg on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.
Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of Pennsylvania will be meeting with state legislators to talk about issues important to child care providers such as subsidy rates, Keystone STARS, etc.
Transportation and lunch will be provided.
For more information, please contact us using the following information:
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42 South 15th Street #1305 |
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5001 Baum Avenue #630 |
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 11:13AM | Admin ;)
When Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced on April 28, 2009, that he was planning to switch party affiliation and become a Democrat, conventional wisdom had it that this would faciliate passage of the Employee Free Choice Act in the United States Senate by giving Democrats a filibuster proof 60-vote supermajority.
It has since become clear, however, that Specter's change of party was an act of pure political opportunism motivated by a desperate sense of self-preservation.
Monday, April 6, 2009 at 3:03PM | Admin The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is in the process of surveying child care providers about the fees we charge parents in order to determine "market rates."
We want to make sure that DPW hears from as many child care providers as possible in order to help them establish accurate market rates.
Please download the survey worksheet and use it as a guide for completing your market rate survey.
The market rate survey must be completed and returned to your local Child Care Information Services (CCIS) office no later than April 17, 2009.
If you have any questions, you can contact us using the following information:
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42 South 15th Street #1305 |
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5001 Baum Avenue #630 |
Keep checking our website www.ccpunited.org for more updates.
Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 6:41PM | Admin High quality family child care training for every learner is now available EVERYWHERE!
The Institute offers endless training opportunities:
Learn more about the NAFCC Training Institute at www.nafcc.org.
