Anyone in Michigan taking FIA

[Francine]

I just had a call from a family looking for care for their 20 month old but it's FIA, I have heard horror stories about FIA so I am very reluctant to take it. Is there anybody in Michigan that could give me some advice, is it really that bad? Do you get paid? How does it work etc.

Thanks so much!
Joy

[actaktmdt]

I have a single parent, who has been trying to get FIA for 8 months. Her case worker has not been doing her job, and she is now working with head person of our local office. The case worker has lost her application paper work 3 times. Even the office secratery, has been vouching for her...which is why she has be upped the line so so quickly....when she complained. As long as the parent stays on top of it you should be good. I have my parents report their hours while they are in my home so there are no descrepencies and so that I get paid my money....meanwhile this parent has been paying for her care sense she started....but she is still new to my daycare....

[Francine]

So is there anything that I have to do or is it all up to the parents? Does the check go to them or to me? I would have the parents pay too because I can't wait months for them to get the paperwork figured out. Your parent that is paying you, will you them pay her back once you start getting paid? How does that work?

[emosks]

Nope...don't want to deal with it!

[actaktmdt]

So is there anything that I have to do or is it all up to the parents? Does the check go to them or to me? I would have the parents pay too because I can't wait months for them to get the paperwork figured out. Your parent that is paying you, will you them pay her back once you start getting paid? How does that work?

You have to have the parent if approved bring in a form that u sign saying ur lice.by the stateand that u will be watching them .....u themn choose how to set up reporting hours u can do it by phone mail or online...the parent must also turn in hrs to the state...if they don't match then they don't pay which is why I will be making her report hrs at pick up.
I will have my pmt direct deposited....I don't think the state covers back pay but i.m not sure

[Francine]

So how much does that state pay? Can we then charge the parent the remainer, because I'm sure they don't pay what we charge? Also what about the Union, I really don't like the idea of Union dues etc.

I still don't know if I'm going to do it, I have an appointment Friday evening to meet with the Mom. I know it isn't her fault that she has to rely on the state for help right now but I just don't know if I want to deal with it.

Thanks for your help!

[actaktmdt]

So how much does that state pay? Can we then charge the parent the remainer, because I'm sure they don't pay what we charge? Also what about the Union, I really don't like the idea of Union dues etc.

I still don't know if I'm going to do it, I have an appointment Friday evening to meet with the Mom. I know it isn't her fault that she has to rely on the state for help right now but I just don't know if I want to deal with it.

Thanks for your help!

the state pays based on age of the children...see here http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dh...._300607_7.pdf

I honestly dont know much about the union and dues as I am a new provider.....I know there is a group of people taking it to court to contest the laws legality of it and thats about the extent that i know on that.

[Childminder]

I take FIA and am in MI. Don't like to, it's a hassle and extra bookwork. Plus they have this new ruling where the parent has to call/ or go online with the hours each pay period by midnite on the Thurs after billing period ends on Sat at midnight.

I get $2.40 per hour for over 2 1/2 yrs and $2.90 for under 2 1/2. The parents are responsible for the amount that state doesn't pay. Just make sure you get it in contract and that they pay ahead. Also the parent will want to start care right away MAKE THEM PAY FOR EVERYTHING until state kicks in which usually takes about 60 days. 45 days from the time they receive the application before they even look at it. Also make copies and have the parent hand deliver to caseworker, fax it in AND snail mail it in. Yep, three copies and the caseworker will still say they never received it.

Then good luck getting the caseworker on the phone. Where you live in MI might make a difference. I'm near a metro area so I believe there are more deadbeats. and the caseworkers don't care. Voice mail is always full and you can't get through. Oh, and if you do finally talk to her/him, they won't speak to you just the parent. I then contact their supervisor and even send letters to Lansing to complain. When they do finally approve the application you can only get paid retro back 45 days.

The union is another RANT. They sent us a letter saying state paid providers are now going to pay 1.15% of their subsidy for union dues in trade for union representation. I paid over $150 to our wonderful union last year. Before the union I received $2.375 hour per over 2 1/2yr old child. They bargained and got us a raise to $2.40 per hour. By my calculations that is $.03 per hour going to union dues which makes for an additional loss of 1/2 cent per hour for me. So with the union I made $30 less than I would have pre union.

So all that being said, I would rather not work with FIA. It's a lot of work and a lot of papers to keep. Plus from my experience the quality of parent is usually poor.

[Francine]

I have an interview with a lady Friday, I told her that I wasn't excited about taking DHS but I would like us to meet to see if we both thought it was a good fit, if it is I would be willing to give it a try. So I do have an out, I haven't obligated myself yet.

Is it possible to have a client pay in full and then when the check comes sign it over to the client? Is that legal?

[Childminder]

You could sign it over or just use it as a credit to her account. She just wouldn't have to pay the copay till it's caught up. That's what I do.

[actaktmdt]

Being a former bank employee, the majority of the time banks will not accept checks that are signed over that are from the state of mi or any other state.
You would need to deposit the check into your account, and then write out a check to her, to reimburse her back.....

[Unregistered]

All of the previous advice is pretty accurate:

Have them PREPAY. Once it kicks it, you can BACK-BILL DHS. You get your check, deposit it, then write them a reimbursement check. But document everything, especially the reimbursement back to the parent.

Make sure they REPORT AT YOUR HOME. I just found out one of my daycare parents did not report for over 6 weeks (I didn't notice because I was busy dealing with my own health issues, while keeping the daycare open). That parent is not only a former client now, but I have filed a small claims suit on her.

The biggest problem I have had with DHS clients is the clients themselves. They often have an attitude of "you owe me because I'm poor". This is even more of an issue with single mothers. Then when you ask for the $20-$30 per week copay, they accuse you of being all about the money and not caring about your clients.

I am on the verge of refusing DHS clients, but MI is so poor right now, I may not have a choice. It seems like everyone is on some kind of assistance.

[Francine]

Well the interview that I had scheduled for Friday never showed, so I don't have to worry about her. I think I have pretty much decided to not take on DHS clients, it sounds like a pain in the rear. It's probably a good thing that she didn't show.

[Former Teacher]

The biggest problem I have had with DHS clients is the clients themselves. They often have an attitude of "you owe me because I'm poor". This is even more of an issue with single mothers. Then when you ask for the $20-$30 per week copay, they accuse you of being all about the money and not caring about your clients.

I normally don't respond to guests on this forum but I will this time. I TOTALLY agree with this poster. My former center use to accept state aided families. NO MORE.

Miss Joy: I am SO glad that you decided against this. It is truly a hassle. At my former center we weren't paid fully and then we had to wait 2 months before we would be paid (we would get May's payment in July's etc). Plus if the center was closed for a holiday that the state (TX) did not recognize we wouldn't be paid (the day after Thanksgiving). I could go on and on and on on the stupid rules and laws they have for "these people"

You made a wise choice. I am happy for you!

[Unregistered]

I would just like to say that you all should be ashamed of yourselves. I am a new parent and my son will be turning 3 months old in 2 days. I stumbled upon this forum looking for information about state funded day care. I am horrified that you would all say such things about people who are low income being bad parents, or feeling like because we are poor we are owed anything. My son's father beat me up when he was only 13 days old. And because of that I am living with my mother, and trying to get my feet back on the ground so I can properly provide for my son. Because I have to rely on the state for help for a short time does not mean I am a bad parent or I feel like anyone owe's me anything. I just need help and their are programs out there that can help people in situations like mine.

So the state is going to give me $400 dollars a month to provide for my son and myself. On the condition that I put my son in someone elses care so I can attend their "jet" program which is job training for 40 hours a week. They will pay $1.85 to the daycare, or babysitter, IF the babysitter is in MY home, which I share with my mother who works and retired stepfather who is not going to stand for a stranger in his home or watch the boy himself. So now I am expected to pay the remainder of the childcare fee's myself with the lousy $400 dollars a month?

1.85 at 40 hours a week factors to 74 dollars a week. The day care I just spoke with says they charge a flat rate of 160 a week. That leaves me paying 86 dollars a week 4 weeks a month is 344, which leaves me with 56 dollars to provide my son with diapers, wipes, clothes, and whatever else he may need. Not to mention my need for clothes in order to get a job so that I can properly provide for him. And if I wasn't living with my mother. Rent, utilities? Food?

This is all okay, I understand they day cares need to make money. But my point is I am not in this situation because I want to be. I am not trying to freeload off of the state. I am a single mother living in a bad economy and can't afford to pay for child care for my son because his daddy got drunk and beat me up.