The Maryland Department of Education is preparing to put a wait list in place for all new applicants to Maryland’s child care voucher program. SEIU Local 500 is working with our allies and members of the state legislature to find ways to stop this change to the subsidy program.
Take Action Today to Protect Maryland’s Subsidy Program
1 – Join us on the evening of Monday, February 28th in Annapolis. Providers just like you will meet with their Maryland State Senators and Delegates to urge them to keep their promise to Maryland’s children.
Email Local 500 Child Care Director Beth Myers at myersb@seiu500.org and let us know you’ll be there.
2 – Call Senator Cardin and Senator Mikulski and urge them to fight Republican attempts to slash federal child care funding.
Senator Cardin: (202) 224-4524
Senator Mikulski: (202) 224-4654
Sample Script: “My name is … I am a child care provider from [City], Maryland. I’m calling to urge Senator Cardin to fight any cuts to federal child care funding proposed by House Republicans. Now more than ever children need high-quality, reliable care and struggling parents need our help to keep working. Thank you.”
If You’re A Provider: Take Action Now to Protect Your Kids
You can help ensure that the families in your child care center are protected and do not lose their subsidies:
1. Let parents know that they need to keep their eligibility current. Parents currently in the program will not be taken out of the program. HOWEVER, if they allow their eligibility to lapse or don’t send their forms in on time, they could lose their subsidy.
2. Encourage parents to make copies and keep records of all of their interactions with DSS and MSDE regarding the subsidy program. We have been told that any delays or problems with processing will not affect whether a family stays in the program. Now, more than ever, record keeping is very important.
3. The wait list will go into effect on February 28th. If you have any parents that are considering apply to or may be eligible for the program, encourage them to apply today!
The wait list as it is currently proposed will not apply to parents who receive TCA or who were prior TCA applicants. Also, any family that has a disabled child or a child receiving SSI will also not be placed on the wait list.
Together with their union, your fellow providers will fight to stop the wait list and ensure that all Maryland’s children have access to quality child care.
Please watch for further updates and actions you can take to protect this vital program. Please contact Ms. Myers at myersb@seiu500.org or at (301) 740-7100 if you have questions or concerns.
