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I accepted a baby into care in January with no immunizations under the pretense that mom had planned on starting them right away. I have reminded the parent several times and provided her phone numbers, dates, and times for the immunization clinics in the area. There's always a reason the clinic is never visited. Either he is sick, or she couldn't wait around, or she didn't have paperwork in order. A month ago I did tell her that I am out of compliance not having any immunizations and that she needed to get the first round ASAP and gave her all the immunization clinic information for 3 counties. Baby then got very sick for 2 weeks, so I didn't provide notice. He has been well now for two weeks and still no action. I need to write a two week notice now to terminate care if no action is taken. Please help me with the wording on this notice! Thanks!
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Something like this? (If not, let me know I can re-write.)
Dear DCM
According to licensing regulations ALL children in care MUST be immunized.
You are currently out of compliance with this rule.
As of April xx, 2013, NO services will be provided until a written plan for administering the missing immunizations has been turned in.
This plan must include the time and date of the first round of immunizations as well as outline the timeline for completion of the remainder of the required immunizations.
If this written plan is not followed or broken at any time, care will be IMMEDIATELY terminated for failure to comply with licensing rules.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Sincerely
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Great note, sounds good to me... I don't have to require they immunize and I'm an activist (I just don't push my beliefs on others..l to each their own and all states laws are different). Homeschooling is such a big thing here due to our poor school system, and a lot of those parents selectively immunize. So, although I do ask for a form 121 if they selectively immunize that's okay too it just has to be in writing.Comment
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Can you just have her sign a waiver? I don't recommend pusing waivers on families but if you can't get her to take the child in for the immunizations, does your state allow waivers??? And would you even be willing to accept a child who is not immunized?Comment
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I was just going to ask if the DCM was just pushing it out of procrastination or if maybe there was an underlying issue with her personal beliefs. Why not talk to her first and ask her but have the letter typed and ready to go anyway.
Ask her if there is another reason why she has procrastinated for so long and if it turns out that she is shaky about vaccinations for some reason and would prefer not to immunize then give her the option to decide not to immunize (if allowed in your state) by signing and filling out the propper forms.
Either way hand her the letter after talking to her and tell her that in either case you cannot be out of compliance any longer and will require either option from her within the specified time on the letter. I personally would give more than two weeks but only because where I live it would be almost impossible to get an appointment within 2 weeks. I'd give about 3 or 4 weeks more and if she can squeeze herself even sooner then even better.
Your letter should specify that if either requirement is not met (proof of immunization or some type of personal beliefs affidavit) that the child care contract will be canceled. I'd also add in there that you have requested this information since enrollment in January and several times since so your end is covered just in case there is backlash for some reason. I like BCs letter. I would just make small modifications.Comment
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Here parents can get a waiver but they MUST get it from their dr so the dr can talk to them about the risks of not being immuninized. Plus if there is an outbreak in the area they may not attend childcare or school.
If you will terminate without them giving MORE notice is risking your business. I would demand the written plan tomorrow and a visit to the clinic or dr this week to start them or get a waiver from the dr. here the clinic does them every Wed and I do not think you need an apt
So has the child been having well baby checks?It:
: will waitComment
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I didn't mention anything about a waiver or about it possibly being against the parent's beliefs as the OP never said anything about that.
I assumed OP would have said the DCM is wanting to be a non-vaxing parent if she were.....or this wouldn't be an issue.
Sounds like the mom is just being lazy but I could be wrong.
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I don't have to require immunizations. So, it's not a big deal here.
But, if I had to, i'd tell her she either needs the signed waiver from he doctor, or the immunizations to be started, within the next two weeks.
She may be against immunizations, and just hasn't told you. But, either way, she needs to take some action.Comment
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I want to add too... I had a mom go get the 121 the let day, and only then did she realize that her child missed the last of the hep b AND the hep a vaccine. She's into total vaccination and had NO idea her child had missed them quite a while back. She was very happy that I asked for it, because she found out about the missed vaccines and immediately made an appointment to fix the problem.
So maybe explain that the form isn't just to protect you but it's also there to protect HeR daughter, that would help. But I do agree that it sounds like she faltering for other reasons.Comment
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It is not religious or personal beliefs. I did ask her several times telling her that the state absolutely cannot force the issue if it is one of those reasons. When i took the child on in jabuary...the dck was 5 months old. THe family had moved froma remote location where vaccinations were not as easy to get as in more populated areas. We dont live in a heavily populated area but have several immunization clinics we can use. THe other children in the family are fully immunized and none of them had any adverse reactions....it is literslly as dcm said "i just never got around to it". After i realized that mom wasnt taking this seriously i did contact licensing to see how much trouble i got myself into. I explained the whole situation to my licensor and what my plans going forward were. She agreed to give it more time and stress that i AM out of compliance and that this must be done to maintain my child care services. This was over a month ago and I did need to take the last step. Mom took ot well and signed my paper and seems like she might get it done now. As i said...if this was religious or other belief i would do whatever it took to maintain care and keep state at bay....our licensing handbook specifically states immunizations must be up to date and on file for every child in care...but obviously there are always "loopholes". I for one could care less, i do the main immunizations but refused the flu, swine flu, and "cruise ship virus" vaccines for my children...and i wish i had declined a couple others.Comment
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In Utah, children MUST be immunized or have a waiver form. To get the waiver form, they must go to their doctor or health dept and watch a video and be advised to the risks of not vaccinating and get it signed by an official.
I let parents know it must be one or the other.
The state allows 30 days after shots are due as "conditional" enrollment in daycare. I warn parents when they are on conditional enrollment. It's the only warning I give. My job is to tend the children and not to babysit their parents.
After 30 days....I turn them away at the door and they can't return until they have the correct paperwork.
And they must still pay me.Comment
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Does DCM have insurance? Are the clinics free? Some clinics charge fees just for the visit or charge for anything other than a check up/prescription. Most people don't have insurance and maybe she cannot afford the vaccinations because they can be expensive.Comment
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Yes on insurance...and the clinics are all free. This situation has been resolved. I gave mom termination letter tuesday, child was immunized wednesday. Yay!Comment
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