Early Education Workers United!

EARLY EDUCATION WORKERS UNITED!

SUMMER 2018 LA COUNTY PROVIDERS WIN CHANGES FOR STAGE 1 CHILD CARE Many providers in our union experience problems with Stage 1 Child Care variable schedules. So, we took action. Our petition urging the LA County Board of Supervisors to address providers’ concerns gathered hundreds of signatures! This led to several meetings with the LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS). Our meetings gave us an opportunity to create positive changes in the programs we use to provide care for our community’s children. Here are just some of the improvements made through our DPSS meetings: Pay Updates Confidentiality DPSS and R&R agencies will make certain exemptions and pay us for Eliminated providers’ sensitive care when a parent leaves without contact information (SSN/ITN) on signing the appropriate paperwork ST105 applications. Resource & or if paperwork is missing. Please Referral (R&R) agencies will now use follow up with the complaint liaison the information providers have on from the respective R&R you file for child care services requests. contract with to address this. If you You must check the box stating --“I still have issues or if your case is would like the Child Care Agency to not resolved, contact your union use my rate sheet and license, which representative as soon as possible! I previously submitted.” Employer/School Signature Stage 1 Case Issues Beginning July 1, 2018, parents In San Bernardino County... will only be required to obtain DPSS requests we contact the signatures every 6 months. “When I had a Stage 1 payment issue and couldn’t get respective R&R complaint liaison. We (for variable schedules only) a hold of anyone from the TAD office I called my union are still working to obtain a complaint procedure for Stage 1 cases. organizer. She gave me the contact information for Attendance Records Rhonda Wolfe, the Interim Deputy Director of TAD. Mrs. If a parent leaves without signing Wolfe was very helpful and resolved my issue promptly. CONTACT US! their Stage 1 paperwork the agency She also shared the contact list of all TAD managers For LA County R&R Agencies Complaint will honor your personal attendance in San Bernardino County. Do not hesitate to contact Liaisons and/or San Bernardino County sheets and furnish payment based TAD contact lists, call or email -- a manager or Mrs. Wolfe. I hope we, San Bernardino on your records. Make sure to keep Melissa Noriega an accurate log showing the date, County providers, can establish a partnership with TAD (213) 215-7947 daily parent signature, and time a to ensure that families have access to quality child [email protected] child was in your care. care and that we are reimbursed in a timely manner.” Our fight continues: We are currently in the process of setting up a - Latonia Wlliams, Provider from Fontana meeting with the CA Department of Social Services (CDSS) which oversees Stage 1 Child Care statewide. Let us know if you are interested in participating to ensure LA/San Bernardino County providers’ voices are heard! 1 MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD!

By Nikita Houston, Provider from Los Angeles

...mandatory child abuse reporting certification: Assembly Bill 1207 states ALL providers must be equipped to identify and report suspected child abuse or neglect. However, the vendors contracted to facilitate the process only produced the certification exam in English. Therefore, providers who don’t speak English will be exempt while English speaking providers will be cited for non-compliance. I was not very happy about this. The law was created to equip providers to intervene in situations of suspected abuse but by failing to provide certification for non-English speakers, we are not protecting the non-English speaking children cared for by non-English speaking providers. We advocated that no civil penalties should be enforced until all Providers Meet With the California Dept of providers have access to the mandated child abuse training in the hopes of expediting non-English trainings. Social Services (CDSS)

On April 2, 2018, I had the opportunity to represent SEIU Local 99 ...establishing local relationships: Providers advocated to have Community Care LPAs conduct outreach to local Resource providers in Sacramento at CDSS headquarters. Other participants and Referral (R&R) agencies. CDSS committed LPAs to offer of the round table discussion included Community Care Licensing training and support to providers, helping to establish connections on the local level. Local 99 was also recommended to facilitate representatives from Northern/Southern California and our sister trainings to ensure represented child care providers receive this child care unions. Together, we had the opportunity to engage vital information. CDSS about pressing concerns we have as providers. The meeting was informative and through our dialogue we were able to advocate ...a standardized inspection process: Providers expressed on providers’ behalf for the following... concerns about discrepancies of citations by different Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) during their inspection visits. Overall, we came together on important issues and brought them to the attention of the agencies responsible. When we work together to understand our role as child care providers, everyone wins. We are now better equipped to provide the highest quality of service for the children and families we serve. I encourage all providers to seek opportunities to participate in future CDSS meetings. This enables us to form partnerships with important entities that shape the child care industry and also strengthens our union! Providers attending a workshop in Ontario. Tackling Licensing Challenges with Union Power! Operating a family child care business is very rewarding but it can also be stressful. Licensing, Resource & Referral (R&R) agencies, and food program representatives can flaunt their authority. We feel alone and in the dark when licensing requirements are changed without proper notice. But, we know united, we are stronger! Recently, Community Care Licensing made changes to Title 22 regulations. When we questioned why providers weren’t adequately informed about these changes their response was that as business owners we are responsible for staying up to date on regulations! This is unacceptable. But, through our union we have taken the lead in ensuring providers are informed and up to date on all licensing requirements. In fact, after our first year of partnering with Community Care Licensing (Winter 2016) the most common citations decreased by ~10%. These positive results paved the path for provider input meetings with CDSS - Community Care Licensing. We hope you are able to participate in our informative, regular union licensing workshops. Attending a licensing workshop equips you with knowledge about the child care advocates program, how to subscribe to licensing’s quarterly newsletters, and how to navigate ccld.ca.gov, which has many online resources for providers. More importantly, we now have the opportunity to gain clarification on capacity limitations and staffing requirements, learn about new required immunizations, the increased civil penalty implementation, and your mandated child abuse reporting certification. Check out our calendar (page 3) to find the nearest workshop or contact Melissa Noriega (213) 215-7947 to become a Local 99 member and host one in your neighborhood! 2 MANDATED CHILD ABUSE REPORTER TRAINING

Step 1 - Call the Child Protection Agency Mandated Reporters must report suspected abuse to a child protection agency as soon as possible by telephone. If the situation is urgent or there is an immediate safety threat, call the police (911). - In LA County, call 1 (800) 540-4000 - In San Bernardino County, call 1 (800) 827-8724 Step 2 - Send Written Report to the Child Care Protection Agency The call must be followed within 36 hours by a written report to the child protection agency. The report must be filed on Department of Justice Form SS8572, the Suspected Child Abuse Members complete the AB 1207 certification in Lancaster. Report (SCAR) form. The form is available at welfare offices, local enforcement agencies and/or online: http://bit.ly/SCARform Beginning January 1, 2018, all licensed providers, applicants, directors and employees must complete a required child abuse Step 3 Call or Fax Licensing training (Health and Safety Code 1596.8662). You must complete Call or fax your report before the close of the next working the training every two years. This is verified during inspection. If the day (following the day on which the reportable event occurred) to training is not available in your primary language you will be exempt Community Care Licensing during normal business hours. until CDSS makes it available. You can access the online training provided by CDSS here: www.mandatedreporterca.com Step 4 Written Report to Licensing A written report must be submitted to licensing within 7 days Upon completion of the training, the online module will issue you using either the Unusual Incident/Injury Report Form LIC a certificate of completion. You must maintain this on file for all 624B or a letter that contains the specific information required. employees and make it available when requested by Licensing. If Available online: http://bit.ly/LIC624B you have any questions or would like to schedule a training in your Note: If you made your initial report (Step 3) by faxing the Unusual home, please contact Melissa Noriega (213) 215-7947. Incident/Injury Report directly to your local licensing office you do not need to complete Step 4. FUTURE WORKSHOPS

Stay informed about the newest licensing regulations and keep your business up to date with help from early child care experts. RSVP for a workshop or to inquire about hosting a workshop, call (213) 387-8393, ext. 302, or let your union organizer know!

3 POLITICS MATTER

Maria Ponce and Tonia McMillian at Newsom’s South LA rally. Gavin Newsom for Governor Electing an early care and education governor. SEIU California is endorsing Local 99’s child care members Gavin Newsom for governor. participated in Newsom’s Get The endorsement was Out The Vote Rallies in South announced after SEIU California Los Angeles and Burbank. members from across the state, including SEIU Local “Gavin gets that in order to 99 members, participated in improve our child care system the union’s One Voice Town we must take a holistic approach. Hall. Here members met with We must not only consider candidates, asked questions, the needs of our children and and then each SEIU local cast parents, but also the needs of one vote for the candidate child care workers who are the system’s backbone,” said Maria “Gavin Newsom has fought for universal healthcare and they selected. The overall vote Ponce, Child Care Provider from raising the minimum wage. He is committed to investing in winner was recommended for South Gate. Maria shared her our kids’ development and education from birth until they endorsement. comments during the South find a career. That is why I am voting and volunteering to As SEIU Local 99 members we Los Angeles rally. She also get Gavin elected. On June 2, I gathered with a group of know we must work to elect emphasized the importance providers to remind voters about the importance of voting California’s governor, and to hold of providers having the right for Newsom, a champion for working families. He won the him accountable. Throughout to collective bargaining as a primary election June 5. Now, we need to make sure he the campaign season, we vehicle to move ourselves out wins this November. I encourage everyone to volunteer a will work to ensure that Gavin of poverty and create access few hours to help him get elected. Be ready when our union Newsom understands the to quality child care for more sisters call you to ask for your participation!” importance of investing in early families. Join us and vote - Renaldo Sanders, Provider from Compton care education and granting Gavin Newsom for Governor collective bargaining rights for November 6. child care providers. Several of 4 PROVIDERS MAKING NEWS! Together, We Saved Childcare Quarterly Meetings With the California in Southeast Los Angeles! Dept of Education (CDE)

SEIU Local 99 and 521, and our sister unions continue to have Quarterly Provider Input Meetings with the California Department of Education (CDE). Our last meeting was held Tuesday, June 5, 2018. We successfully engaged CDE in a healthy and productive conversation about the impact the “Variable Schedule” definition and practice has on providers as well as the families we serve. CDE acknowledged that there was an issue of “equity and access” with the way the current variable schedule was being used. CDE believes there is an opportunity to redefine variable schedules through the implementation of the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) in the state plan so schedules can make sense for all. We also followed up on the implementation of AB 603 (electronic provider payments) to make sure they are on track In Southeast Los Angeles, many providers work with Plaza for the July 2019 implementation date. Community Services, a network that provides early care and education in the area. In April, we met with Plaza and were informed the network would be transitioning to an Early Head Start program. Shortly after many of us received termination letters from the network. The letters indicated, effective May 16, 2018, the children in our care would be removed from the program! Providers who have worked with Plaza for years were greatly affected by this sudden termination. But, as union providers we decided to do what we do best -- organize! “Providers like myself stood tall to fight for our jobs United We Stand, Divided We Fall and child care services for our community. We contacted state representatives about the termination notices and were able to You may have heard about the recent Supreme Court gain one more year with Plaza before it’s transition.Together, we won!,” said Verlinda Walker, Provider from Los Angeles. This was decision in the case of Janus vs. AFSCME. The objective an incredible victory. We can continue to provide care for the of this case is to cut union resources by having workers children in the Plaza program. We learned that by coming together leave their union and not pay their dues. The court’s in our union we can challenge decisions made by R&R agencies, decision means that, as a union, it will be more difficult for like Plaza, that affect our livelihoods and the children we care for. Child Care Providers to gain collective bargaining rights or the opportunity to sit down at the bargaining table with the We’ve Increased Funding for Early Child Care Programs! state to negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions.

The 2018-19 California Budget includes the following: - Stage 2/Stage 3: $104 million in general funds to reflect caseload growth It also means that we must be more united than ever. and cost of care increase. The fact is that agencies nor the state have ever given us - Stand Reimbursment Rate (SRR): Includes 2.795% SRR increase, for a anything without a fight. We want constant rate increases, total of approximately 5.6% more children accessing quality early education and care, - Regional Market Rate (RMR): Includes $64.4 million general funds and $59.2 million Prop 98 funds to cover the full-year costs associated with the and living wages not only for ourselves, but for all working updated RMR to the 75th percentile and to increase full-day preschool slots by families in our communities. Together in our union, we can 2,959 keep fighting for more.No court case will stop us. - Alternative Payment Program Slots: Creates 13,407 news slots funded You can read more about this case and who is behind it at by $19 million in general funds and $409.2 million from limited-term federal funds. The fight doesn’t end here. We must continue organizing in our districts www.seiu99.org/janus and advocate for more investments in early child care! 5 IMPORTANT RATES UPDATE

Did you know that after 52.5 hours of weekly care you are entitled to an additional hourly rate? After reading the confusing Title 5 Education codes, and clarifying with the CA Department of Education (CDE), we discovered that providers can be paid for hours worked above 52.5 per week. Keep in mind our hourly rates cannot exceed our weekly full-time rate. If your Notice of Action (NOA) authorizes more than 52.5 hours of care, you must charge your R&R your full- time weekly rate AND an hourly rate for those hours worked above 52.5, up to your authorized weekly limit. If you have any further questions about this please contact your organizer! An example of how this regulation works...

You’re open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. A family is approved for 60 hours per week for their one year-old. Your pay $232.26 (52.5 hours) (weekly rate) $85.05 (7.5 hours) (rate hourly) $317.31(total)

A provider recieves her weekly hourly rate for an infant during the first 52.5 hours. The remaining hours are Providers (left to right - Renaldo Sanders, Tonia McMillian, and Silvia charged according to her hourly rate which add up to Jordan) in Sacramento advocate for collective bargaining rights with State Senator, Anthony Portantino. The state makes important 7.5 hours * 11.34 = 85.05. This would make your total decisions that impact rates and regulations. We must make our weekly pay 317.31. voices heard!

Make sure you include this language on your rate sheet so agencies can pay you correctly. Regional Market Rates (RMR) An hourly fee will be charged for hours of care that exceed 52.5 hours a week. Per On January 1, 2018, RMR’s went up! If you haven’t Title 5, of the CA Education Code, Division updated your rates please do so as soon as possible. 1, Chapter 19, Subchapter 2.5, Article 1, Remember, you may only update your rates once a hourly rate shall apply for: (3) That portion of year per CDE guidelines. It is important to ensure our the certified need for child care that exceeds 52.5 rates are accurate because R&R agencies will enter a hours per week and is not included in the provider’s new fiscal year on July 1, 2018. full-time weekly or full-time monthly rate. This provision applies only if the family utilizes no more than one provider to meet the child’s entire need for child care and development services. Additional payment made under the hourly rate for this purpose cannot exceed the provider’s full-time weekly or full-time monthly rate.

6 PROVIDER/PARENT RESOURCES

Free College Benefit: Eligible SEIU members and their families can earn an Associates Degree or Certificate online without paying for tuition, fees, or e-books! You can earn an: Associate’s Degree (Accounting, Business Management, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Individualized Study, Paralegal) or a Certificate (Business Management, Patient Home Navigator). Find out how to enroll: http://bit.ly/seiucollege

SEIU Early Apprenticeship Program: SEIU providers are eligible to participate in a free early education program that includes coaching, college coursework, professional learning communities, networking opportunities and individualized guidance. For more information, contact Nanette Rincon-Ksido (213) 220-6523

SFCU is non-profit cooperative founded by LAUSD employees to serve the financial goals of all education workers. In a credit union, your banking business makes you part owner of the cooperative. SFCU provides checking accounts, savings accounts, and consumer/real estate loans. Membership includes access to discounts. Find out more: www.schoolsfcu.org

QSLA helps early learning providers participate in ongoing professional development so you are better prepared to nurture each child’s unique abilities and development. QSLA providers receive training, coaching, strengths-based assessment, and financial incentives to enhance your classroom serving children from birth to five. You must apply to participate in the program. Find out if you are eligible: http://qualitystartla.org/how-qsla-works/

Liability Insurance: As an SEIU member, you have exclusive access to liability insurance for your child care business. Waivers and most homeowner’s insurance will not cover you if you are sued for any alleged illness or injury caused to a child while under your care. Liability insurance helps you keep peace of mind when something unexpected happens because we know accidents and property damage are a fact of life for child care providers. Some benefits include: A. Reimbursement Coverage - provides reimbursement for loss of business income due to a covered peril under your homeowners policy or a suspension of your license due to the discovery of an infectious disease B. Criminal Defense Cost Endorsement - provides reimbursement for your expenses if you are accused and ultimately acquitted of all criminal charges or charges are withdrawn. Apply and receive an estimate here: http://bit.ly/liabilityinsu or call 1(800)473-0111

Is a child in your care missing development milestones? Do you worry a child you care for many have unique developmental needs? Share these free screening opportunities with parents so they can have their child, from birth to five, screened by a qualified mental health service. In Inglewood/Los Angeles: Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services offers free early childhood screening programs for children, birth to five, who may have experienced traumatic events or are experiencing delays in meeting developmental milestones. For inquiries, call (310) 846-2068 In South Los Angeles: South Central Los Angeles Regional Center offers free development questionnaires to help families understand their child’s unique developmental needs and provide them with information to support their child. For inquiries, call (213) 744-8489

7 SELF-CARE TIPS GET CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED!

A 2018 report published by Mental Health America sheds light on the alarming state of mental health in youth. The report found that: - Over 76% of youth with severe depression – 1.7 million kids - are not getting the treatment they need. - 50% of screeners, ages 11-17, often think about suicide or self-harm throughout the week. Receive CPR/First Aid certification with a special pediatric focus. - Rates of severe youth depression have increased in a Trainings are free for Local 99 members. All trainings will take place 5-year period. from 8am-5pm. To RSVP for a workshop, inquire about hosting a class, or learn how to become a member, call: (213) 387-8393, As family child care providers, we know firsthand the first five ext. 302. years are the most important in a child’s cerebral growth. Different parts of the brain are forming and molding based on a child’s July first-impression memories. Our profession offers a safe space for children to develop healthy self-esteems, regulate their emotions, 14 - Northridge (Spanish) | Lynwood (Spanish) and learn how to coexist with others. 15 - Long Beach (English) 21 - Palmdale (Spanish) | Victorville (English) But, many children in working class communities face challenges to healthy development. Parents struggling to survive, juggling multiple 28 - Northridge (English) part-time jobs, can find it difficult to provide the warmth and attention necessary for a child. This leaves providers making many sacrifices August -- including providing care when payments are pending because 11 - Bell (Spanish) financially strained parents are subjected to dysfunctional agencies. 18 - Hesperia (Spanish) We must remember to care for ourselves and the children we are 25 - LA (Spanish) responsible for in these difficult circumstances. Here are some easy ways to practice self-care... September 22 - Lancaster (English)

November 3 - East LA (Spanish)

Personal Professional December Make a vision board, Take your lunch plan goals, get coffee break, take a class, 8 - Reseda (Spanish) with a friend, & relax! plan a career move Cancellations: If you are unable to attend, please notify Local 99 at least 4 business days before the training date. If you fail to notify Local 99 that you are unable to attend, you will NOT be able to register for a CPR/First Aid training with Local 99 for six months.

Emotional Spiritual UNION-WIDE EVENTS Cry, laugh, Find Meditate, sing, dance, a hobby, Practice spend time in nature, To RSVP for an event contact Melissa Noriega: (213) 215-7947 forgiveness play, do yoga July 21 - Local 99 Picnic + Executive Board Meeting (To RSVP, visit: http://bit.ly/99picnic) September 15 - Industry Division + General Membership Meeting (Bilingual) September 22 - Psychological Physical Executive Board Meeting Journal, draw, paint, Eat healthy, get October 20 - Executive Board Meeting think about your enough sleep, go for November 6 - California Gubernatorial Election positive qualities a walk, Get “me” time December 1 - Industry Division Meeting (Bilingual) Find more tools: http://bit.ly/99selfcare December 15 - Executive Board Meeting 8