Peer Advocate Training

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 11:46AM
Admin

Member-to-Member Assistance

Through this unique program, Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California has successfully helped child care providers across the state:

• Win thousands of dollars in back payments;

• Overturn licensing citations;

• Win zoning hearings; and

• Change local ordinances. 

More than 60 leaders have participated in multiple peer advocate training sessions in Contra Costa, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Orange, Imperial, Riverside, and Ventura counties. 

CCPUnited is committed to providing our members with the resources and training that will help them resolve many of the common concerns that routinely arise between providers and licensing and other state agencies.

Supporting Members, Building Leadership, Improving Child Care

The Peer Advocate program is an exciting members-only benefit from Child Care Providers United (CCPUnited) of California. The goals of the program are to:

• Help member providers offer the highest quality child care for children and families;

• Assist member providers with licensing and subsidy problems, and other questions;

• Build better relationships with licensing staff,  AP staff, and child care stakeholders.

Peer Advocates are available to answer questions, make phone calls on behalf of members, write letters, and attend meetings with licensing and subsidy staff, at members' request. There is at least one Peer Advocate in 15 different counties, working to assist members with questions, identifying resources in their counties, and connecting with other union members for support. Peer advocates are providers just like you, recruited and trained to assist members in providing the highest quality child care for children and families in California.

Additionally, as a members-only benefit, the Peer Advocate can help members find skilled attorneys to assist with more complex problems requiring legal guidance. Attorneys accepting referrals from CCPUnited members offer a free 30-minute consultation and discounts on rates for representation. Remember, this tremendous benefit is for CCPUnited members only!

Peer Advocates will also use the lessons learned from providers’ experiences to help make needed improvements to California’s child care system; and strengthen provider’s ability to resolve day-to-day issues with skills and confidence.

Peer Advocate Duties

• Share knowledge and assist with skills-building to strengthen member associations to provide high quality child care for families;

• Work with members and appropriate agency staff to cultivate relationships that help facilitate problem solving and conflict resolution;

• Participate in training (s) to develop working knowledge of licensing and subsidy payment systems, compliance issues, and grievance procedures;

• Respond to member questions and develop necessary skills to assist members with resolving problems;

• Ensure that members follow procedural guidelines, e.g., filing deadlines, appeal responses, proper documentation, etc.;

• Help identify systemic problems; recommend system improvements that engage providers, parents, and other child care stakeholders

To find a peer advocate in your county, call CCPUnited toll-free at 1-866-336-9333 or click here.

Article originally appeared on Child Care Providers United (http://www.ccpunited.org/).