State Child Care Wins
Maryland, Minnesota, Rhode Island
See this page below for child care wins in these states.
California, Massachusetts
Check out www.seiu2004.org about SEIU Kids First in California and MakeKidsFirst.org about SEIU Kids First in Massachusetts.
Illinois, Oregon, Washington
Don't miss this page for information about historic agreements in these states.
MD Providers Ratify Historic Contract
In early July 2009, 5,000 Kids First Maryland/SEIU Local 500 child care providers voted by a margin of more than 30-to-1 to ratify their first contract with the Department of Education and the Governor's Office.
After 14 months of negotiations, providers won a nearly three-percent increase in state subsidy rates without an increase in parent co-pays; accountability for late payments from the state; the creation of a new Training Committee of state officials and child care providers to recommend future improvements; and access to important decision-making bodies in the child care system.
"It's a historic moment. Providers who help raise and educate Maryland's most vulnerable children now have a seat at the table," explains Merle Cuttitta, President of SEIU Local 500, of the new contract that will cover providers who participate in the state subsidy program.
Local 500 child care providers first voted to form a union with SEIU in September 2007 after gaining collective bargaining rights through an executive order signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. In a statewide election, they voted by an 80 percent majority vote to form a union with SEIU Kids First.
Providers worked together for nearly three years to gain that right to vote for their union--forming a statewide steering council and organizing committee, and joining with parents and community advocates to lobby elected officials.
« Read a letter from the bargaining team & contract highlights
« Learn more about SEIU Kids First
RI Providers Beat Co-pay Hike for Parents
SEIU family child care providers won two victories for affordable, quality child care last month in the Rhode Island legislature, beating back a co-payment hike and gaining access to biweekly pay through direct deposit.
In June 2006, Gov. Carcieri raised out of pocket costs by nearly $700 per year for many families who receive child care assistance. SEIU providers immediately began calling and visiting their representatives to ask them to reverse the hike and help more parents afford quality child care. Just weeks after it took effect, SEIU providers got the legislature to reduce the co-pay increase by half.
Providers also won access to biweekly direct deposit for child care reimbursements. Many family child care providers go an entire month between reimbursement checks--longer when checks are lost or late. Beginning in January, providers in Rhode Island will have access to a more reliable system for reimbursements, so they can deliver more consistent, high-quality care for their kids.
See this page below for child care wins in these states.
California, Massachusetts
Check out www.seiu2004.org about SEIU Kids First in California and MakeKidsFirst.org about SEIU Kids First in Massachusetts.
Illinois, Oregon, Washington
Don't miss this page for information about historic agreements in these states.
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| More at KidsFirstMaryland.org |
In early July 2009, 5,000 Kids First Maryland/SEIU Local 500 child care providers voted by a margin of more than 30-to-1 to ratify their first contract with the Department of Education and the Governor's Office.
After 14 months of negotiations, providers won a nearly three-percent increase in state subsidy rates without an increase in parent co-pays; accountability for late payments from the state; the creation of a new Training Committee of state officials and child care providers to recommend future improvements; and access to important decision-making bodies in the child care system.
"It's a historic moment. Providers who help raise and educate Maryland's most vulnerable children now have a seat at the table," explains Merle Cuttitta, President of SEIU Local 500, of the new contract that will cover providers who participate in the state subsidy program.
Local 500 child care providers first voted to form a union with SEIU in September 2007 after gaining collective bargaining rights through an executive order signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley. In a statewide election, they voted by an 80 percent majority vote to form a union with SEIU Kids First.
Providers worked together for nearly three years to gain that right to vote for their union--forming a statewide steering council and organizing committee, and joining with parents and community advocates to lobby elected officials.
« Read a letter from the bargaining team & contract highlights
« Learn more about SEIU Kids First
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MN Providers Win New Early Ed Investment
After three years of cuts to early learning, Minnesota's waiting list has grown to nearly 5,000 children. SEIU providers made hundreds of phone calls and visits to urge elected officials to invest more in children.
Working together with the early education and advocacy community, providers won improvements from the legislature that will help our kids get the care they need:
- Steps toward more accessible first aid and CPR training for providers
- $52 million for the next three years to help restore the Child Care Assistance Program, including relief for some of the families on the state waiting list and a 6% reimbursement rate increase for 2006-7 to help providers continue to serve our communities
- $17 million in new funding for early education programs for the next three years.
More at KidsFirstMinnesota.org.
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RI Providers Beat Co-pay Hike for ParentsSEIU family child care providers won two victories for affordable, quality child care last month in the Rhode Island legislature, beating back a co-payment hike and gaining access to biweekly pay through direct deposit.
In June 2006, Gov. Carcieri raised out of pocket costs by nearly $700 per year for many families who receive child care assistance. SEIU providers immediately began calling and visiting their representatives to ask them to reverse the hike and help more parents afford quality child care. Just weeks after it took effect, SEIU providers got the legislature to reduce the co-pay increase by half.
Providers also won access to biweekly direct deposit for child care reimbursements. Many family child care providers go an entire month between reimbursement checks--longer when checks are lost or late. Beginning in January, providers in Rhode Island will have access to a more reliable system for reimbursements, so they can deliver more consistent, high-quality care for their kids.
