Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I stopped taking subsidy due to poor parent behaviors. 
It created more problems than it solved. A semblance of the bird feeder parable.
http://www.birthtothree.org/programs/
This program used to be about kids not meeting milestones but has now acknowledged that income and parent involvement are also a factors in kids development (among many other things).
They've revamped our subsidy program.
Now it's easier for parents.
Instead of having to re-certify and prove income every 6 months, they are now only required to do so every 12 months.
It used to be that if you had another child and were out on maternity leave, the assistance program would not pay for your older children to be in care but now the assistance program will cover costs of older siblings in care while parent is home. This includes medical situations and periods of lay-offs. (In other words, the parent is never "forced" to care for their child while the parent is home)
Payments from the assistance program will now continue for up to 3 months after eligibility stops. Covering this gap period helps a family maintain their financial growth.
Providers are now required to take additional training courses otherwise not required if no families in care are using assistance.
So yes, there are definitely changes in our state assistance program, the changes are geared towards making sure the parent is minimally involved in the care of THEIR child.
