Prince George’s County In-Home Child Care Providers Honored

Nearly 200 Prince George’s County residents including family child care providers and the kids they care for along with their parents came out on July 1 for a day of fun and recognition for Maryland family child care.  Community and labor supporters were also on hand, including Elbridge James, Legislative Advocate of the Maryland NAACP.

“Maryland’s family child care providers nurture our state’s most valuable resource – its children.  They prepare our state’s children for learning,” said James, who will speak at the “You Make A Difference” Provider Appreciation Event.  “Yet, for too long they have not been given the respect they deserve or the resources they need, and too often they struggle to cover their costs and pay their bills.”

Last November, in-home child care providers, many of whom participate in the state’s “Purchase of Care” (POC) program, voted to organize and join SEIU Local 500 to improve their working conditions and for a stronger voice in their profession.  Providers are now bargaining their first contract with the state.

“As Local 500 members, in-home child care providers are building a stronger, more productive relationship with the state,” explains Merle Cuttitta, President of SEIU Local 500.  “The progress they’re making ultimately benefits Maryland’s children – especially our state’s most vulnerable children.”   The majority of children who receive child care through the POC program are children of single mothers entering the workforce or gaining an education through Welfare-to-Work programs.  They are concentrated in Maryland’s most underserved communities.

Supporters also called for action to ensure that Maryland’s dedicated providers will continue to have the opportunity to build a strong voice in the future of Maryland family child care.  According to the most recent figures, some 8,000 providers care for more than 19,000 children receiving subsidies under Maryland’s POC program.