I Don't Know Whether To Offer DHS Assistance Or Avoid It As Long As Possible

[itlw8]

Not too bad in MO they pay far to little but I can charge the rest to the parent EXCEPT for kids in foster care They pay a little more but I have to accept it as total payment.

There does seem to be a black hole of paperwork so I do tell parents when they take papers to their caseworker make a reciept and have them sign and date it give them a copy for the file and the parents keep one. It seems to speed up the paperwork problems.

I have learned to make the parents pay until I get the letter stating they are covered and WHAT the state will pay.

They do get 5 absenses a month but that includes any holidays so I remind them they owe for any more.

got to say I enjoy those that the parents are going to school, or working hard to move up in a job. There have been a few that were lazy and ended up leaving with no notice. I said it was for the best and replace them.

[rmc20021]

I don't generally have any issue with people receiving dhs assistance for daycare. I provide all the forms when interviewing clients if they feel they are eligible and let them know they MUST turn them into the offices right away in order for dhs to pick up the costs as soon as posible.

My state pays on time, every time but it can take a couple months to receive the first payment...which I don't mind because it's a nice big lump sum. I have not charged parents up front when they are dhs clients because my opinion has always been that if they need the assistance to pay for the child care, then they aren't exactly rolling in money (yes, I know there are some who go around in designer clothes, etc).

However, that policy has just changed this week. Fortunately I had a single mom who just separated from her husband and is getting divorced. She's moved in with her mom and insisted on paying up front. I didn't reject the idea and now I'm glad I didn't because last week she told me her caseworker told her they didn't have the paperwork...not sure if she didn't turn it in, or if dhs lost it, but either way had I not accepted her payments up front, we'd have both been in trouble.

[Meeko]

Because the people on this board seem to hate people who need food stamps, who need childcare assistance or who are in a bad place financially. People are judged solely on their financial merits. Almost all of the people I know who need assistance are educated, two parent households. People talk about wanting to cut programs that assist these people but don't seem to want to offer any strategies for people to become self sufficient. There is such a high level of disgust for daycare clients in these type of situations. Do any of these providers think about how heartbreaking it would be for their clients to hear/read the way providers talk about them?

I am glad that most of the people you know on benefits are educated, two parent households. You are very lucky. I HAVE had truly wonderful daycare clients just like that.

But like I said....for every one of those, there are 10 others who think they should be given the world on a platter and that no effort should be necessary on their part whatsoever.

I have one like that right now...and she isn't the first by any means.

Seven children....a variety of fathers....all out of wedlock.....all filthy most of the time. They only get washed if I do it. CPS spends waaay to much of their time at her equally filthy house.

She has money for fancy phones, getting her nails done and lots of partying. But just can't seem to find the $11 she owes me for her co-pay. She will "forget" to do her state review, but it's MY fault for making her life difficult by refusing care until she does.

No responsibility. No respect. Just an attitude of "Gimmee". (She even called me last week and demanded to know her children's SSN's and got mad at me when I told her I didn't have that information! She needed them for her taxes)

She has also called in the past and asked me if I knew her boyfriend's birthdate!!!!!!!!!!!! I was having a bad day and told her to look it up on the county arrest website. She found it there

I have warned her several times in the last few weeks that her kids need shots. They will be overdue and I will turn them away on Thursday if she doesn't have the paperwork to show they had them. I am 100% sure it will be MY "fault" that she's going to miss work....

And yes...whether people want to hear it or not...she is in the MAJORITY not the minority. I have had many, many state clients over the past 28 years.

I love their kids and that's why I do this. They need SOME stability in their lives because they don't get it from their parents most of the time.

I am sure I sound very judgemental. But it's hard to be anything different after all these years. I love being surprised, but it sadly doesn't happen very often.

[nanglgrl]

I am glad that most of the people you know on benefits are educated, two parent households. You are very lucky. I HAVE had truly wonderful daycare clients just like that.

But like I said....for every one of those, there are 10 others who think they should be given the world on a platter and that no effort should be necessary on their part whatsoever.

I have one like that right now...and she isn't the first by any means.

Seven children....a variety of fathers....all out of wedlock.....all filthy most of the time. They only get washed if I do it. CPS spends waaay to much of their time at her equally filthy house.

She has money for fancy phones, getting her nails done and lots of partying. But just can't seem to find the $11 she owes me for her co-pay. She will "forget" to do her state review, but it's MY fault for making her life difficult by refusing care until she does.

No responsibility. No respect. Just an attitude of "Gimmee". (She even called me last week and demanded to know her children's SSN's and got mad at me when I told her I didn't have that information! She needed them for her taxes)

She has also called in the past and asked me if I knew her boyfriend's birthdate!!!!!!!!!!!! I was having a bad day and told her to look it up on the county arrest website. She found it there

I have warned her several times in the last few weeks that her kids need shots. They will be overdue and I will turn them away on Thursday if she doesn't have the paperwork to show they had them. I am 100% sure it will be MY "fault" that she's going to miss work....

And yes...whether people want to hear it or not...she is in the MAJORITY not the minority. I have had many, many state clients over the past 28 years.

I love their kids and that's why I do this. They need SOME stability in their lives because they don't get it from their parents most of the time.

I am sure I sound very judgemental. But it's hard to be anything different after all these years. I love being surprised, but it sadly doesn't happen very often.

I agree. I live in a college town so a lot of my clients are single parent college students looking to better themselves. They are usually on assistance and are usually great clients. However, the majority of the clients I've had in the last 10 years that have been on assistance have been irresponsible and entitled. I finally made the decision to only accept CCA if they are in school or have been at their current job for at least 6 months among other things.

I've neve understood why the state pays for daycare for 7 children of the same family....here that would be between $2000-3000 per month. If the parent stayed home, didn't work and had to take care of their own child and got food stamps, medical, etc. it would probably cost the taxpayers less. Not saying I don't think they should work but I sure wish there was an alternitive.

[crazydaycarelady]

Unfortunately I agree with Meeko. I admire the state paid parents who are going to school and trying to better their lives for themselves and their children. Those are few and far between though. Most of the state paid parents I have had show up late, don't get their paperwork in (meaning I don't get paid,) don't show up for a week and then show up as if all is well, or just stop coming with no word (and a balance due.) I rarely ever take a state paid client anymore. I know it's harsh but I have to look out for myself and my family.

Like I said if they are trying and truly in need then I am fine with them getting assistance temporarily, it is the ones (and there are a lot) who are taking advantage. For example my son works with a 24yo man who has 5 kids. His wife does not work and he works only 2 days per week. They are on assistance and each day when he buys his lunch he jokes to my son that "the state paid for this.....hahaha.")

Makes me kind of bitter when I work 50+ hours per week, my hubby has 2 jobs, I have already paid $10,000 in taxes this year and I am going to have to come up with another $3400 for taxes on April 15th. I don't freaking have it!!