Childcare Workers (CCWU)
Monmouth County & New Jersey Cares for Kids
The Union has been contacted by several Providers in Monmouth County. Providers have been receiving revised New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK) Agreements for children in their care.
The State’s Response:
Agency funds were not sufficient to accommodate the total number of children under agreement. CCR&R’s are contractually obligated not to spend beyond their contract ceilings. As a result, all agreements were adjusted to ensure that funds were not overspent. No violation of regulations occurred. All parents signed the agreement certification page indicating they “understand that the subsidy and any future subsidies funded by the program for which I am eligible, are contingent upon availability of federal and state funds”.
In accordance with the Agreement between the State and the Union, the Union has filed a formal dispute with the Department of Family Development.
Tips for Providers:
Providers should receive notice
Parents receiving notice have the Right to Appeal
Parents have 10 days to submit Appeal to Agency and 90 days to submit Appeal to Department of Family Development; Appeal process is explained in the Parent Handbook.
Parents should reapply for New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK)
Please contact the Union office with any questions at 973-623-1828.
See the CCWU Agreement Here. (Spanish Version Here)
The New Jersey First Steps Infant/ Toddler Initiative was created to assist early educators in offering the very best possible care for New Jersey’s youngest citizens. Three regional agencies, Programs for Parents, Community Coordinated Child Care of Union County, and the Southern Regional Child Care Resource Center will serve as lead agencies for the 16 child care resource and referral agencies across the state.
Contact the Infant/Toddler Specialist at any of these agencies for professional development, technical assistance, consultation services, program assessment and resources.
Northern New Jersey www.programsforparents.org
Central New Jersey www.ccccunion.org
Southern New Jersey www.eirc.org
OLD NEWS
Childcare Providers Ratify First Contract: Childcare providers from throughout New Jersey ratified their first contract by a unanimous vote on Saturday, November 17. Throughout the morning and into the afternoon, childcare providers came to 8 different sites – Paterson, Jersey City, Newark, Tinton Falls, Trenton, Camden and Vineland – to vote on the tentative agreement which covers approximately 3,000 active registered and approved providers throughout New Jersey.
The contract includes significant increases to subsidy rates, a dispute resolution procedure which includes arbitration, and the formation of a healthcare committee.
Childcare providers who came out to vote were excited about the new contract and the corresponding increases in subsidy rates. When asked about her feelings on the new contract, Nancy Jimenez, a provider from Newark, said, “I love it! We didn’t get everything, but it’s a good start.”
Labor Notes "Steward's Corner" Article