Weatherization Assistance for Child Care Providers

Low-income property owners and renters who meet income guidelines are eligible for free weatherization services that can help to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and permanently reduce their monthly energy bills.

The services include attic insulation, caulking, heating/cooling system repair, water heater blanket wrapping, and other energy saving measures.

Child Care Providers United of California (CCPU-CA) is helping members tap into this funding network to weatherize their homes and save much needed money. 

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More Than 1.5 Million Children Homeless in U.S.

A new study by the National Center on Family Homelessness (NCFH) has found that one in fifty children in the United States are homeless.

This represents an increase from ten years ago, and the trend is likely to continue due to increased poverty, growing income inequality, lack of affordable housing, the recent wave of home foreclosures, and inadequate education and housing policies at the governmental level.

According to the report, California ranked 40th in the nation in child homelessness.

Among the many short-term and long-term strategies that could be used to improve the situation, NCFH concluded that "Child care is essential for families seeking to secure and maintain work, search for housing, attend school and job training opportunities and more." 

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California State Budget Shortchanges Education and Child Care Again

A new study by the Pew Center on the States has found that a record-high seven million Americans is either in prison or on probation or parole.  That’s one out of every thirty-one adults.  This finding highlights how our society has been dramatically transformed over the last twenty-five years, as prison spending has surpassed funding for public education, transportation, and social services like child care.

When these facts are seen within the context of the various state budget crises that have wracked California over the same time period, it's easy to see that the root of our budget problems in the Golden State comes down to a misplaced sense of priorities as well as a lack of revenue.

This article explores the issue in greater detail and incorporates a discussion of the May 19 special election. 

California Department of Education Delays Implementing New 2009 RMRs

This morning Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California member, Louise Marta from Fresno County, alerted us to the fact that the California Department of Education (CDE) had removed from their website information pertaining to the planned increase in reimbursement rates (RMRs) scheduled for March 1, 2009. 

When we accessed this particular web page back on January 9, 2009, users were allowed to toggle back and forth between "Effective 10/01/2006" and "March 1, 2009" to view the new RMRs for California by county. Now, the March 1, 2009 RMR information has disappeared.

According to our sources, the CDE may be putting off implementing the scheduled RMR changes, which showed that child care providers in every county except Sacramento were due to experience across the board rate increases.  

Although the CDE has eliminated access to the March 2009 RMRs, CCPUnited was able to pull down that particular information from the CDE web page before it disappeared. You can download that information here. Please share this information with your colleagues in the child care field. More importantly, you should also contact the CDE employee charged with maintaining this web page and ask her why she removed the March 2009 RMR increases. Her contact information is below: 

Elena Fong | efong@cde.ca.gov | 916-324-6560  

California Legislature Passes Flawed State Budget

After more than four months of stalling, three state Republicans finally broke ranks with their obstructionist colleagues to help pass a new state budget this morning. Although the deal purports to close the state's projected $42 billion budget deficit through a combination of new revenue measures and spending cuts, voters will still be asked to approve a ballot measure this June authorizing the state to borrow an additional $5.4 billion against future lottery revenues to balance the budget.

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Contact your Senator TODAY to Support Child Care in the Stimulus Bill

The House of Representatives voted last week in favor of President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This is the first step toward enshrining our American values of fairness, equality, compassion, and liberty into practices and policies that can make a positive difference in people's lives.

The bill includes $2 billion dollars for child care.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create jobs, revitalize our public service system, and put our economy back on track for families who work for a living. The much-needed money will also help to reduce California's deficit and prevent unnecessary cuts to child care. 

Child care is an important piece. Child care providers offer families peace of mind and continuity while supplying school children, infants, and toddlers with stimulating early education and quality care.

This is a major step forward. Now the bill goes to the Senate—where it faces stiff opposition.

We need you to call Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein today. 

President Obama has called for unity and an end to partisanship. Unfortunately, not a single Republican member voted for the House bill. That's why it’s critical that you contact your senators and urge them to vote YES for the Senate bill. We need Republican and Democratic support together to get it passed.

The Senate will start voting on the bill next week. A brief message from you to your senators can make a difference.   

Call Senator Feinstein.  
202-224-3841

Call Senator Boxer.  
202-224-3553

We will continue to keep you updated about what Congress is doing to help child care providers and how you can help. 

Help for Child Care Providers is on the Way

The House of Representatives has approved the Obama Administration's $820 billion economic stimulus package.

According to this article, school districts, child care centers, and universities will receive $150 billion, more than doubling the current budget of the Department of Education.

The effect of this would be to shift the financing of public education from state and local governments to the federal government.

The package also includes new funding for unemployment benefits and food stamps. Other new spending is designed to shore up state finances and expand social programs essential to the general welfare.

The following article summarizes many of the proposals.

The proposal now moves to the Senate for a vote.

For more information about the Obama stimulus plan, visit the House Appropriations Committee website.

New Regional Market Rates Are Here!

Effective March 1, 2009, there will be new Regional Market Rates (RMR) for subsidized child care established by the California Department of Education (CDE).

You can find the new rates for your county by going to:

www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/cd/ap/index.aspx

Select "new rates 3/1/2009" and then select your county. You can also determine if the rates for your county have increased or decreased by viewing the rates for 2006.

Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California is working closely with child care advocates, stakeholders, legislators, and CDE staff to ensure that the voices of providers are heard.

We want to make sure that subsidy rates reflect the true cost of care for providers and ensure greater access to quality care for working families.

To find out how the RMR affects you or for more information, call CCPUnited at 866-336-9333 or visit www.ccpunited.org.

CCPUnited of California's Autumn 2008 Newsletter is here!

Download the English and Spanish versions now.

CCPUnited Unveils Affordable Health Benefits Package

Earlier this year, after much struggle, determination, and hard work, Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California unveiled a historic package of health, dental, and prescription programs for union members and their families. For several years, family child care providers have worked to make health coverage more affordable for California providers and their families.

Like many self-employed individu­als and small business owners who struggle to support their families, health benefits for providers are a necessity, not a luxury. The health benefits package marks a significant milestone for our growing union, and we are excited about the affordable monthly premi­ums, dental coverage, and drug dis­count package. CCPUnited members and their families began enrolling in Spring 2008. Benefits include:

- Low cost health insurance start­ing at under $150 a month

- Doctor visits with no co-pay

- Preventative care

- Dental care starting at $24 per month for single coverage

- Free or discounted drugs for those who qualify through the PhRMA Patient Assistance Program

For more information about these plans and options, contact Rasheda at SEIU (1-866-574-8907) or Mary Ann (Spanish bilingual) at AFSCME (1-866-336-9333).