Public Workshop - Child Care - Nevada Division of Welfare ...
Public Workshop - Child Care - Nevada Division of Welfare ... Public Workshop - Child Care - Nevada Division of Welfare ...
Mr. Gilliland then stated the discretionary subsidy was frozen due to the program’s funding running out. All of the new discretionary cases are placed on the waiting list and those in the 20 – 30% category also need the subsidy. There is some funding available from the federal stimulus bill. He asked for ideas on how to best distribute the funds to the community that needs it; does the additional funding go to the 20 – 30% or those on the waiting list; and, the best way to keep it sustainable. Mr. Gilliland said it is not his intent to ever have anyone turned away for asking a question and believes it is unacceptable not to answer questions. No one in the Division has received notification to withhold information and the only way the Division finds out about problems is if it is brought to their attention. He was advised all of the provider payments for February and March were made. If a payment was not made, he urged those affected to contact Mr. Stagliano as quickly as possible so it can be addressed and fixed. Staff is working on weekends to ensure the paperwork is processed timely so checks continue to be issued to the providers. He asked those with specific concerns to speak with Mr. Stagliano after the meeting to ensure their issues are heard and addressed. Ms. Sherwood stated her main concern is if there are no children in the day care centers, where do they go? She explained September a long way away and half of her families are on the subsidy wait lists. She wants to know when those on the wait list will be addressed. Mr. Gilliland explained even with the stimulus funding, the wait list cannot be completely eliminated. The Division is considering reversing 20 – 30% subsidy or addressing the waiting list and he hopes to reach a decision over the next few weeks. He explained the children with the higher subsidy, on the waiting list, will probably be taken care of first and then staff will work down the list. He also explained 45 day continuity of service for those who lose employment, said the policy is being drafted and will be issued soon. He is focused on serving all families possible with the available funding. Mirabal Rodriguez said most providers have contracted slots with UNLV and those are children who only attend one day, but UNLV is paid for the whole month. She asked why not take those slots away and provide them for those who need the spots more. Mr. Stagliano explained how the contracted slots work and the fact the facility must certify they will always have a slot open for these children. Ms. Chappel said she heard the disconnect between providers and the Division. Fixing the disconnect is slated to be one of the goals of the Advisory Board, along with the issues providers are facing with the economic downturn. She said she is not sure how to help, but she suggested using associations to connect with the Advisory Board and then from the Advisory Board to DWSS. Ms. Chappel suggested the providers form an interim group to address issues before the Advisory Board is formed and provided her contact information. She also suggested an evening meeting to discuss a partnership between the providers and DWSS to ensure providers and families are successful. A discussion ensued about the disconnect, lack of communication and how difficult it is to 8
understand what the different providers go through with families. Ms. Rodriguez commented the providers usually end up being the bad guy and would like the current Southern Nevada Child Care Association to have a representative on the Child Care Advisory Board. Mr. Cooper asked Mr. Gilliland how long he has been the Administrator of the Division and Mr. Gilliland replied four months. Mr. Cooper then asked the providers to consider Mr. Gilliland has been tossed into the mix and he is trying to clean up the program. If this is going to work, the providers and DWSS need know each other’s issues. The two are clashing because of a communication disconnect. The providers want the system fixed and ready go now and the Division is working to figure out how to fund the program and help families. He believes both entities have been given an ill conceived plan and would like to know how to get all of the parties on board to help providers and families quickly. He said he believes the providers need direct numbers to the eligibility workers for the program to answer their daily questions. Mr. Gilliland explained the same staff is providing services, just in different locations. Mr. Cooper commented the Division started the move last minute and had ill conceived plans for the Program. Mr. Gilliland said the Child Care Program staff are at different locations, but still providing services with the same methodologies as before. Everyone must work together through the transition period to meet the needs of the children and providers. There are also fundamental issues with child care that need to be addressed over the long term. A request for contact numbers for staff moved from Washington Street was made. Mr. Stagliano stated the operational information is the same, only the location of staff has been moved. A letter was sent out on March 11, 2009 and some West Washington staff moved that weekend. The letter is available for attendees. The phone numbers for the provider services staff are also available on the informational sheet. The providers also asked for the numbers for the workers at all of the different offices and Mr. Stagliano said numbers will be published so the providers can contact their regular contact person. Mr. Gilliland clarified provider services are now located at 701 North Rancho and the eligibility workers are distributed by ZIP code in located in the different DWSS offices. Anna Hopper asked where the providers will go for training and Mr. Gilliland replied the training schedule will be distributed soon with several months of training opportunities at multiple locations. Because most of the moves were done over weekend, some files may have been misplaced and the providers not paid because their file could not immediately be found. An audience member stated they are frustrated with the way the move was done and realizes it will work itself out. They then asked if Try-Angles and Substitute Teachers Programs will continue to be available. Mr. Gilliland stated that no programs for providers are being discontinued. Try-Angles will continue at the West Washington Street Office and the Caregiver Support Training will take place at the Division’s Southern Professional Development Center (SPDC). 9
- Page 1 and 2: NEVADA STATE DIVISION OF WELFARE &
- Page 3 and 4: public workshop came about due to c
- Page 5 and 6: Debbie Sherwood gave an example of
- Page 7: A member of the audience asked for
- Page 11: Ms. Rodriguez asked for another mee
understand what the different providers go through with families. Ms. Rodriguez<br />
commented the providers usually end up being the bad guy and would like the current<br />
Southern <strong>Nevada</strong> <strong>Child</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Association to have a representative on the <strong>Child</strong> <strong>Care</strong><br />
Advisory Board.<br />
Mr. Cooper asked Mr. Gilliland how long he has been the Administrator <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Division</strong><br />
and Mr. Gilliland replied four months. Mr. Cooper then asked the providers to consider<br />
Mr. Gilliland has been tossed into the mix and he is trying to clean up the program. If<br />
this is going to work, the providers and DWSS need know each other’s issues. The two<br />
are clashing because <strong>of</strong> a communication disconnect. The providers want the system<br />
fixed and ready go now and the <strong>Division</strong> is working to figure out how to fund the<br />
program and help families. He believes both entities have been given an ill conceived<br />
plan and would like to know how to get all <strong>of</strong> the parties on board to help providers and<br />
families quickly. He said he believes the providers need direct numbers to the eligibility<br />
workers for the program to answer their daily questions. Mr. Gilliland explained the<br />
same staff is providing services, just in different locations. Mr. Cooper commented the<br />
<strong>Division</strong> started the move last minute and had ill conceived plans for the Program.<br />
Mr. Gilliland said the <strong>Child</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Program staff are at different locations, but still<br />
providing services with the same methodologies as before. Everyone must work<br />
together through the transition period to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> the children and providers.<br />
There are also fundamental issues with child care that need to be addressed over the<br />
long term. A request for contact numbers for staff moved from Washington Street was<br />
made. Mr. Stagliano stated the operational information is the same, only the location <strong>of</strong><br />
staff has been moved. A letter was sent out on March 11, 2009 and some West<br />
Washington staff moved that weekend. The letter is available for attendees. The<br />
phone numbers for the provider services staff are also available on the informational<br />
sheet. The providers also asked for the numbers for the workers at all <strong>of</strong> the different<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices and Mr. Stagliano said numbers will be published so the providers can contact<br />
their regular contact person. Mr. Gilliland clarified provider services are now located at<br />
701 North Rancho and the eligibility workers are distributed by ZIP code in located in<br />
the different DWSS <strong>of</strong>fices. Anna Hopper asked where the providers will go for training<br />
and Mr. Gilliland replied the training schedule will be distributed soon with several<br />
months <strong>of</strong> training opportunities at multiple locations.<br />
Because most <strong>of</strong> the moves were done over weekend, some files may have been<br />
misplaced and the providers not paid because their file could not immediately be found.<br />
An audience member stated they are frustrated with the way the move was done and<br />
realizes it will work itself out. They then asked if Try-Angles and Substitute Teachers<br />
Programs will continue to be available. Mr. Gilliland stated that no programs for<br />
providers are being discontinued. Try-Angles will continue at the West Washington<br />
Street Office and the <strong>Care</strong>giver Support Training will take place at the <strong>Division</strong>’s<br />
Southern Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development Center (SPDC).<br />
9
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