Originally Posted by Mrs.Ky:
Might wanna read this before you charge med fee:
How does a childcare provider cover the costs of providing special services to a child with a disability?
Childcare providers may NOT charge parents of children with special needs additional fees to provide services required by the ADA. For example, if a center is asked to do simple procedures that are required by the ADA, like finger-prick blood glucose tests for children with diabetes, it cannot charge the child’s parents extra. (Of course, the parents must provide all appropriate testing equipment, training and special food necessary for the child). Instead, the provider must spread the cost across all families participating in the program. If the childcare provider is providing services beyond those required by ADA, like hiring licensed medical personnel to conduct complicated medical procedures, it may charge the child’s family.
This is the link to the site I got it off of:http://www.spannj.org/publications/childcarepub.htm
The child has to first be deemed disabled. Having a prescription of nebs does not a special needs child make. Most kids receiving neb treatments never qualify as disabled. If the child IS disabled the parents need to do the hard work of getting the child diagnosed and providing the provider with the documentation that she is indeed a disabled child and qualifies under the disability act.
Until the provider receives documentation stating the child has a disability she CAN charge for medication administration.
The cost of a disabled child's care MUST be divided equally amoung the other clients. You MUST have a client base that CAN afford the cost of that child's care OR it becomes an undo burden.
A child who could have as many as three nebulizer treatments a day (assuming there is only one medication and not a combination of meds that must be given separately) can
fundamentally alter a program. The TIME it takes to do this level of care, the documentation, parent contacts, and medical verification and training may well be beyond the ability of a single provider caring for a small group of children.
Providers shouldn't assume THEY must assume the cost but rather "can their client base support the cost?". We are NOT expected to do special needs care for free.