Enrolling DCM Complaint, Discrimination

[PitterPatter]

First of all I charge simply by the day or 1/2 day. I am open from 8am-5pm now. Clients are permitted to use any time frame in that window.

So now I have a new DCM enrolling and we hit a snag. She found out that some clients (subsidy) only pay $1.00 per day and that the total I receive from the state for any subsidy child is $20 up to the age of 5. After 5yrs I receive $17 per child per day. She now wants this rate too.

I have always charged my private pay clients $25 per day when I have them. I only accept the $20 because I MUST in order to get subsidy clients. Now I have DCM complaining it's not fair I am taking advantage of her and that's discrimination. I never looked at it this way. IF I could charge the subsidy families more I would do so but am not allowed. So now because I accept subsidized care am I required to charge my private paying clients the same?

Is this a form of discrimination?

[Cat Herder]

NO.

It is an entitlement issue on the part of the DCM.

Your business agreements with other clients is NONE of her business.

Beyond rude.

[AmyLeigh]

Remind her that the subsidy families are low-income. If she wants subsidy rate, she can get a lower paying job and jump through all of the hoops to get qualified, right? ::

[DCMom]

I charge everyone the same. If my daily rate is $25 and I get reimbursed $20 from the state, then the parents would be pays other $5 in addition to any co-pay that they may have.

Besides, what you charge other families is not her business. How did she find out what the other family is paying?

[Childminder]

Did she sign a contract with you? Tell her if she wants that rate then she will have to get put on subsidy. You are already getting screwed by taking subsidy. You are a business not a charity!!!

[DaycareMama]

I was told that we had to charge the same for everyone or it was considered discrimination. BUT I am allowed to charge my subsidy families more to make up the difference. they just have to pay more out of their pocket. Or find somewhere else.

[Zoe]

The only thing you would be doing wrong is if you raised your regular rates to get more from the state, which is NOT what you are doing. Just because the state subsidy pays you a certain amount does not determine the top rate you are able to charge private paying clients. That is YOUR business and if the dcm doesn't like it, she can either apply for subsidy or find someone else.

Stick to your policy!

[Crazy8]

honestly, she's arguing over $4/day - I know that adds up but if this is her issue right upon enrollment I wouldn't even take them on.

I agree with Catherder - you are free to make per client decisions and what you charge other clients is none of her business!!!

[PitterPatter]

I charge everyone the same. If my daily rate is $25 and I get reimbursed $20 from the state, then the parents would be pays other $5 in addition to any co-pay that they may have.

Besides, what you charge other families is not her business. How did she find out what the other family is paying?

I would love to charge the subs families the difference but in my state I am not allowed to charge the subsidy clients anything extra. I am only to collect the portion fee that the state doesn't cover. We did finally get permission recently to charge late fees though!

I guess she asked someone to get the info because it wasn't in question at first. She must have been talking to someone who is on subsidy or had been because she knew a lot!

Thank God I require 2 visits now so no contract signed yet. As much as I need clients I won't be signing the contract for care. I can just imagine the other issues that will pop up later!

Thanks everyone, I just want to be sure I am doing the right thing.

[cheerfuldom]

I think you did the right thing. You don't have to justify the way you run your business and frankly, I would not have even gone into a huge explanation. I would have just told her that your contract outlines your rates. If she is not happy with that arrangement, she is welcome to look elsewhere for care.

[Blackcat31]

Oh and for the record she is white and works in a bank! Not elligible for assistance ::

what does race and place of work have to do with eligibility for subsidy payments?

[Heidi]

what does race and place of work have to do with eligibility for subsidy payments?

because the client was suggesting that she was being discriminated against. White banker is not a protected class... Well, unless they work on Wall Street!

legal definition of discrimination, per freedictionary.com:

Federal laws, supplemented by court decisions, prohibit discrimination in such areas as employment, housing, voting rights, education, and access to public facilities.

They also proscribe discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, nationality, disability, or religion.

[wdmmom]

Subsidy means you have to accept what the government is paying you. You do not have to accept it from private pay clients. If they are low income and can qualify for subsidy, tell them you will honor the lower rate. Until then...too bad!

[snbauser]

I was told that we had to charge the same for everyone or it was considered discrimination. BUT I am allowed to charge my subsidy families more to make up the difference. they just have to pay more out of their pocket. Or find somewhere else.

Same here. Our rates have to be set regardless of how we get paid.

[Blackcat31]

because the client was suggesting that she was being discriminated against. White banker is not a protected class... Well, unless they work on Wall Street!

legal definition of discrimination, per freedictionary.com:

Federal laws, supplemented by court decisions, prohibit discrimination in such areas as employment, housing, voting rights, education, and access to public facilities.

They also proscribe discrimination on the basis of race, age, sex, nationality, disability, or religion.

I understand what discrimination is, but the daycare parent felt she was being discriminated against for being a cash paying parent. She mentioned nothing about race or job choice. Discrimination can be for many many different reasons, which not all of them are about color.

I personally, just thought the comment was really uncalled for.