CCIS if Not Licensed

[melissa ann]

I have a question. If I'm not licensed can my dcf still use CCIS? Grandfather talked to me about it. Turns out he qualifies for child care assistance. I will get a phone call tomorrow from CCIS to ask me some questions. I will need a background check. How much does that cost?
Most weeks for one child I get $54. Because they are ususally only here my min of 3 days. But if it goes through, I will have one of the kids everyday(yes, more income for me) but I guess I will get paid monthly from
CCIS and he would owe a little each week what isn't covered. Any help would be appreciated.

[gbcc]

I live in NY and before I became registered I was able to receive dss as payment. They paid me less than registered providers. It did not cost me anything. It cost the parent though depending on their income level. I had one parent pay me $1 and another pay me $16.

[Former Teacher]

This was how it was for my former center (licenced child care) in TX:

It is called CCDS here. They would pay so much and the parent would pay the rest, depending on their income. We once had 1 mother pay 225 for the month while another mother had to pay only 5.00. Yes 5 dollars for a year old baby for over 11 hours of care for one month. Anyway more on her later.

Because it was through the state, there was ALOT of paperwork. We had to fill out the days the child was there. After so many absents, we would not be paid for that day. Oh and they paid LESS than what we charged. They also did not cover all our closings. For example, we were closed the Friday after Thanksgiving. We were not paid that day because it is not a federal holiday. Also we were paid 2 months BEHIND. So we would get December's payment in February.

You can not charge late fees (pick ups nor payments), nor can you charge the parents for field trips taken (we did anyway). As I said about that mother: she was "supposedly" looking for a job. Although she would drop her baby off at 7 am and pick him up in the same pj bottoms at 6:30. The day we told her that her month was 5.00, she said "oh well, I can give it to you next week, I just don't have it"...Give the director her due she finally had it with the system. She told this mother that if she can't pay her 5 dollars she will be charged an extra 25 dollars a day until its paid in full. This mother went to car and paid the money.

As I said this is how it is in TX. We have had many experiences more bad than good with the state help. Does it make it easier for the parents: yes of course. Is it worth all the hassle and stress: absolutely not!

Good luck!

[kiddiecare]

It's called DHS here, and you don't have to be licensed to receive money from them but you do have to be on the criminal registry ($3). You can charge the parents whatever you want as they have a contract with YOU not the state. When i nterview a dhs client i make it very clear that there will be fees that the state will not cover including any ealy/late drop offs/pick-ups and late payment fees. I also point out that all my other clients pre-pay for their spot so any co-pays or amounts over what the state said theyd help pay will be do before care. Ex: If their co-pay is $25 for the month and my fees exceed what the state will pay by $75 then they would have to pay $100, i offer to take the amount and break it up into payments. I am not judging or saying that all parents on dhs are 'bad' as i once was on it too but so far while doing this business all the dhs clients i have enrolled have not been good, not paying co-pays not respecting the rules they agreed to, even having 2 dcm ask me to claim that the child was here longer so that the state would pay more then i could give them the $..they were'nt clients long. Since I implemented my new assistance contract i honestely have not enrolled any new dhs clients, done lots of interviews but so far they dont want to be treated like all the other clients and dont want to be held accountable with a contract.
Here if a dcp is on dhs they have to call and have their name linked with mine BEFORE i will consider them dhs clients and enroll them as such, if they say they are in the process of getting it then theyd have to enroll and pay the fees as a regular client untill they are linked to my daycare through the state, and yes i have had to take a dhs client to small claims court and i won. Just because they need help doesnt mean they should be treated any different. Here's a copy of the contract i have for assisted payment, I also include a regular contract in their parent pack so they can see it.
Contract
(Financial Assistance)

Co-Payments and any amounts due not covered by DHS or any assistance program will be due in advance of childcare. Any amount not paid by DHS for any reason after they have issued me a check will be due within three (3) business days after I have been paid by DHS. If payments haven’t been made within three days of the due date the childcare contract will be terminated with all fees applicable, including late fees and the two week termination fee. If DHS does not pay your childcare fees for any reason you are responsible for paying the full amount due within 3 business days of receiving notice that your bill was not paid. This is an amendment to Kiddie Care and Plays payment policies for State assisted clients only. My fees are based on a flat weekly rate for ALL clients and are as follows:
Full Time- 21-50 hours a week: $125.00 per child per week ($135- In Diapers)
Part Time- 1-20 hours a week: $62.50 per child per week ($72.00- In Diapers)

Parent/Guardian understands and agrees that they will be charged the same rate as all clientele and are responsible for any amount not paid by the state or any other assistance programs.

I have received, read and understand Kiddie Care and Plays’ Daycare policy handbook. I understand and agree to comply fully.

Parents signature ________________________ Date __________

Parents signature ________________________ Date __________

This is a contract between_______________________(Parents/Guardian),
and (provider name), owner and operator of Kiddie Care and Play.
Childcare services will be provided for the following child/ren:
1. _____________________________________
2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

[GretasLittleFriends]

I think it depends on the state whether you can receive child care assistance if you're not licensed.

As for the background check I had to pay $100/yr and that was good for anyone I needed checked (over the age of 13) in my home. It included me, my husband and my daughter once she turned 13. It would still include a helper or two or three between now and when that year is up.

With our child care assistance in MN we (the provider) have the option to get paid every other week or monthly. I chose the bi-weekly. On my forms there are places for additional fees and places for comments. We can claim non-standard hour fees, activity fees (field trips etc) as well as other fees. I do believe that the parent is responsible for late fees though.

Personally I think it is well worth accepting the people who qualify for assistance. Honestly though, I care for 7 kids right now with two more starting in 1.5 weeks. Out of those 9 kids right now only 4 are not on state assistance, and honestly out of those 4 who are not they probably could each be. One mom (of those 4) is still a H.S. student and is in the process of getting on county/state assistance so she can afford daycare while she finishes high school. Unfortunately for her there is a waiting line to get assistance and they're not taking into account that she's in HS and is likely a higher need for it than another family I used to have who had 3 kids and both parents have full time jobs... That's an aggravating story for another thread and another day though.

[melissa ann]

this seems like more trouble than it's worth. And now grandfather is trying to caluclate how much he will have to pay since on averge the boy is only here 3 days/week. First, he said he would bring him everyday. I'm thinking of telling him, that if he wants to get child care assisatance he needs to find another provider. He didn't even ask my thoughts on this. He just assumed that I would think this the greatest thing since slice bread and go along with it.
Most weeks he only pays $54/week. This week it was $72 and most it's $90 but those are very rare. now, he works like 45 mins away and has 2, yes, 2 vechicles. One is only worth a few hundred dollars but the other he is making payments. They are sport utility vehicles, so tell me how much he pays in gas a/week and he wants to complain about paying $54/week? He works at a very, very well known store which many sell food, clothing, toys, electronics everything and we live just 7 miles away from another one.
I will have to pay out more ($36 for fingerprinting, the closest one for me to go to is about 15 miles or so away, then drive to the next town for the meeting with ccis, mail out monthly forms (I'm assuming I'll have to pay postage) then every 2 years have 20 bucks taken out of my pay to review my fingerpints) IMO, it's just not worth the headaches I"m sure I'll encounter.

[gbcc]

this seems like more trouble than it's worth. I'm thinking of telling him, that if he wants to get child care assisatance he needs to find another provider. He didn't even ask my thoughts on this. He just assumed that I would think this the greatest thing since slice bread and go along with it.
.

Maybe it depends on the state but he probably assumed because it is illegal to deny childcare because they receive financial assistance. I know a provider that refused to take DSS funding. The parents got a lawyer and DSS and the parents sued the provider for discrimination.

Now, you could use another excuse such as. "I thought we agreed you would be full time. I'm sorry to say but you need to commit to full time or I will have to fill your spot from my waiting list." Just don't tell anyone it was an excuse.

[Former Teacher]

Like I said Melissa...it's not worth it. Save yourself the stress and aggravation and tell him what GBCC said.

I have dealt with parents like him. You don't want to have him or people like him in your center.

[tymaboy]

Here you do not need to be registered but being non registered you get paid less. Here I can also decide not to take assistance. I dont know what non registered providers need to do but the registered ones do not have to pay for the back ground checks (we do not do figure prints) If we choose to take assistance then those parents that are considered high risk parents (social services make frequent visits to family) then the provider needs to be registered but if the family receives assistance cue of low income then any provider can care for kids. I think if you accept it then you will get visited (home inspections) more often then if you do not accept it.

[melissa ann]

Do I have to accept childcare from him with assistance or do I have the option of refusing? Could he say it is discrimation? I'm in PA and I don't want to have to go through all of this. It's my business and I should be able to run it as I want.

[gbcc]

In NY it is discrimination. They could turn it into a low income type of deal. They would have a case because they have the ability to pay but you wont let them because they get welfare. Like a said in a previous post a women in my town was sued by the family and DSS. She lost.

In NY also if we get a child in a wheel chair who wants to come here we can't deny them. We have to re-do our home with our own money to accomodate for the child. Build ramps, make the bathroom accessible, make sure hallways are wide enough and the list goes on.

To be safe I would make up an excuse. Do you have a lawyer you can consult with?

[momofboys]

I would tell the grandpa that you would be willing to do it if he'll pay for your fingerprint checks & other misc expenses resulting from accepting this form of payment. It creates more work for you & more expense. IMO it seems like a major hassle. Sorry you have to go through this!

[momofboys]

In NY it is discrimination. They could turn it into a low income type of deal. They would have a case because they have the ability to pay but you wont let them because they get welfare. Like a said in a previous post a women in my town was sued by the family and DSS. She lost.

In NY also if we get a child in a wheel chair who wants to come here we can't deny them. We have to re-do our home with our own money to accomodate for the child. Build ramps, make the bathroom accessible, make sure hallways are wide enough and the list goes on.

To be safe I would make up an excuse. Do you have a lawyer you can consult with?

I guess what floors me about this is that it is your own business, why should you have to incur an extra expense in order to accomodate a wheelchair? Why would the parent even want someone as a caregiver who wasn't already set up to accomodate them. Seems bizarre to me! I do see how it could be perceived as discrimination but it seems unlikely that a parent would insist on a caregiver who isn't prepared for their child.

[gbcc]

I agree, it is my business and more importantly MY HOME. Who are they to say? NYS is ALL about getting into your business. That is why so many people are beginning to relocate. There are stipulations and extra taxes on everything.

It is my hope they would not prefer me. There are always those people out there that like to make others miserable because they fell on hard times. Luckily I have never been faced with it.

I don't have to pay for getting DSS childcare payments. But there is still a 2 wk wait to get your money and of course if the person gets kicked of the program you don't get notified until after the services are provided.

[momofboys]

Maybe it depends on the state but he probably assumed because it is illegal to deny childcare because they receive financial assistance. I know a provider that refused to take DSS funding. The parents got a lawyer and DSS and the parents sued the provider for discrimination.

Now, you could use another excuse such as. "I thought we agreed you would be full time. I'm sorry to say but you need to commit to full time or I will have to fill your spot from my waiting list." Just don't tell anyone it was an excuse.

When I was get registered in my state (not certified, just registered) they asked me if I wanted to be on the list to accept state funding. So I was allowed to tell them that I did not want to accept it as payment. They never said you were required to accept it.