Triple Victory

TOLEDO, OHIO

For the first time anywhere, county commissioners here have recognized Child Care Providers Together (CCPT)/AFSCME Council 8 in Lucas County as the exclusive representative for family child care providers. They give care to children in their own homes. This action makes the union the official body to meet and confer with the county Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) on issues affecting those workers: securing and maintaining registration, orderly transmissions and processing of time sheets and vouchers, resolving disputes over the calculation and payment of reimbursement rates.

The victory was achieved via card check — marked by a super-strong majority of support among the county's 596 home-based child care providers. The commissioners' decision is a result of providers' united action and AFSCME's partisan and non-partisan political education, and efforts to elect supportive candidates last year. A majority of the newly elected board received AFSCME's endorsement during the campaign.

A week earlier, CCPT/AFSCME organized more than 100 child care providers and parents to rally in protest of certain rule changes. ODJFS had originally proposed a flat rate for full-time care — defined as between 25-60 hours per week. The agency amended that to 25-50 hours per week, with providers paid hourly for all services over 50 hours. ODJFS also withdrew its proposal to require a doctor's note for children who stayed home sick — before approving reimbursements.

In addition, the state legislature voted to increase Ohio's proposed reimbursement for providers from 60 percent of market value to 65 percent.

Theresa Warner, a child care provider from Cleveland, is pleased with what they have achieved so far: "We did not win everything but we made a big impact. This is only the beginning. We hope to have a strong voice for years to come." — J.M.