Council 40/WI-CCPT Updates- December 10^th 2008

Council 40’s Wisconsin Child Care Providers Together has begun the process of building their Local. With the help of our past (retired) Executive Director Bob Lyons and our current Executive Director Rick Badger we have taken the first step by electing our Interim-Executive Board and our EB officers.

We began with a proposed slate of 10 past bargaining team members and members who have taken on a lead role in advocating for our union. We sent postcard ballots to all of our members mid November. All members had the opportunity to vote on the proposed slate and add to the executive board by “writing in” two nominations. The two members with the majority of nominations joined the new EB. We would like to thank all members who ran for and who were nominated for the first WI-CCPT Executive Board.

The election went in favor of the proposed slate almost unanimously.

The following names were “write-ins” on the ballot and proposed as additions to the Executive Board:

Diane Daines

Halena Hardnett (excluded since she is in the Council 48 – Milwaukee area)

Edna Turner

Linda Acevedo

Mai Chao Lor

Patricia Henning

Chris Harris

Donna Plahmer

Teri Wallner

Jacqueline Reynolds

The two names with the highest number of nominations and who joined the elected slate are:

Linda Acevedo

Patricia Henning

On Saturday December 6th our interim Executive Board met and held elections to determine interim officers for WI-CCPT.

The elections went as follows:

President: Diana Smith (River Falls)

Vice-President: Mandy VonKaenel (Monroe)

Treasurer: Sandy Schley-Zelm (Chippewa Falls)

Secretary: Anneliese Sheahan (Mosinee)

Members-At-Large: Brenda Danielczak (Merrill), Terrie Stinski (Shawano), Pamela Lake (Stevens Point), Michelle Cooper-Hansen (La Crosse), Jennifer Schneeberger (Janesville), Sarah Koeshall (Madison), Linda Acevedo (Kenosha), and Patricia Henning (Madison).

Congratulations to our newly elected officers.

We would also like to congratulate and thank all of the executive board. Our team is made up of a great group of hard working providers from across the State and together we can make a huge difference for Family Child Care. In addition Council 40 continues to employ Project Staff to maintain the Child Care Campaign. Dues collection will begin in the near future.

WI-CCPT EB has chosen to name their new local: Wisconsin Child Care Providers Together. At this point we believe AFSCME-International has reserved the local number 373 for WI-CCPT. As soon as dues check off has been completed our local charter application will be processed.

WI-CCPT would like to express our gratitude to all of AFSCME for taking on the Child Care Campaign. We are especially grateful for Council 40 for making us feel so welcome and for all of the support they have given us. We look forward to a brighter and better future for Family Child Care with Council 40.

New Licensing Rule Changes to go into effect as of January 1^st, 2009

Licensing Rules under HFS 45 will be changed to DCF 250

Note:  Rule number will become DCF 250 as of November 1, 2008.  Only the prefix will change, other rule numbers will remain the same.

License Rule Changes Recap

• Additional provisions added for Licensed holders that are not providing care at least 50% of the hours of the centers operation
• Additions to Staff Records
• New definition for “Provider” – means an adult who has met the requirements specified in HFS 45.05 (1) in a FCCC and who provides care and supervision of the children in the care of the center.  This rule is very important to pay attention to, due to any reference in the rules about a provider would apply to staff as well.
• Changed to have providers qualified before working with children.  Additional providers still have 6 months to get qualified.
• Require all providers to have training in the business of operating a child care center.  (This includes Staff)
• Changed to require Infant Toddler training within 6 months
• Added requirement that CPR training must taken through an agency approved by the dept. and contain training in the use of AED
• Removed minimum # of hours for courses, specified must contain components specified
• Additions to orientation for employees
• Added notification requirements if a child is absent without prior notification.
• Added language to reporting CBC offenses`
• All reports may be made verbally with written report in  following within 5 business days
• Shaken Baby is required for all persons working with children under the age of 5 if they are used in the child to staff ratio.  (This does include Substitutes, backup providers and staff)
• Driving record annually will be required on any adult that will be transporting children in the Center.  Along with auto safety will include the car seat requirements and procedures to ensure no child is left unattended in a vehicle.
• All providers and staff starting on or after Jan. 1, 2009 will be required to submit to The Registry all initial entry-level training. ( Not current providers unless you move to a new location)
• Require additional Licensee reporting to the Dept. and clarify existing reporting requirements.
• Adjusted ratios to allow providers to care for additional school-age children (age 5 and enrolled in school) rather than children who are age 7 and above
• Required centers to have a procedure to track child’s whereabouts
• Required providers to be outside providing sight and sound supervision when water is in a wading pool
• Included as part of the rule that recalled products are considered hazards
• Required fences for all family child care centers
• Required use of form DCF-F-2438 to maintain Daily Attendance Records

For more information please visit the DCF's web-site to see the final rulemaking order which shows all of the chages to the exsisting rules. Every licensed provider will receive a copy of the rules by mail in early 2009.                                                                              DCF's internet site: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/licensed/Index.HTM