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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Do You Accept DHS Clients Before They're Approved
pixsydust 04:30 AM 09-02-2011
My problem is that the person I'm interviewing this weekend has a 10 wk old and I have a feeling she is a young mom (I have a soft spot for young moms because I was one). She is trying to get DHS to help out with daycare, but she wants to start bringing her DD asap. She isn't approved for DHS yet. I got burned once before by accepting a DCM's foster kids before DHS switched me to their provider (I termed the DCKs after 4 days) so I am reluctant to start caring for children before DHS starts. I don't want to lose the potential client, but I also don't want to lose money either. I'm trying to figure out what I should tell her? I normally don't start care until DHS approves funding unless the parents want to pay out of pocket until DHS starts, but I would like to help her out if there is some way of protecting myself. Should I charge her a deposit for the first two weeks and if DHS kicks in before the first billing return her deposit money after I become approved to receive DHS for the baby? How do you handle these situations? Any suggestions would be really helpful?
Meeko 06:10 AM 09-02-2011
Never...ever......take a state pay parent until funds are proved to be available.
They have to either pay up front and get refunded when the state funds kick in , or you call their case worker and see if they are willing to tell you the funds will definately be available. (Make sure you call THEM. There have been cases of the mom's friends calling providers claiming to be case workers and saying that funds will be available soon)
Providers here were warned that mothers were scamming providers. They were going to the benefits office and picking up a 980 form (that providers fill out for the state) and taking it to interviews. They would claim to be state eligible and have the provider fill out the form. Some providers were taking their word for it and providing care while waiting for the state to issue funds. Of course, that never happened because the parent wasn't even eligible in the first place and the state have never received the form. By then, the provider had given a week or two of free care. By the time they caught on, the parent was gone and off to the next provider. They would even give false address info etc.
So we are told to NEVER give care away up front. It can be hard to say no to the various sob stories....some may even be true.....but you cannot put your income at risk.
Have them ask a family member, get a pay day loan or whatever. It will be refunded if they are truly state eligible.
Walmart doesn't let folks take groceries and pay for them later because they haven't got their paycheck yet.......same with us. No money. No care. It's not personal. It's good business.
They have to either pay up front and get refunded when the state funds kick in , or you call their case worker and see if they are willing to tell you the funds will definately be available. (Make sure you call THEM. There have been cases of the mom's friends calling providers claiming to be case workers and saying that funds will be available soon)
Providers here were warned that mothers were scamming providers. They were going to the benefits office and picking up a 980 form (that providers fill out for the state) and taking it to interviews. They would claim to be state eligible and have the provider fill out the form. Some providers were taking their word for it and providing care while waiting for the state to issue funds. Of course, that never happened because the parent wasn't even eligible in the first place and the state have never received the form. By then, the provider had given a week or two of free care. By the time they caught on, the parent was gone and off to the next provider. They would even give false address info etc.
So we are told to NEVER give care away up front. It can be hard to say no to the various sob stories....some may even be true.....but you cannot put your income at risk.
Have them ask a family member, get a pay day loan or whatever. It will be refunded if they are truly state eligible.
Walmart doesn't let folks take groceries and pay for them later because they haven't got their paycheck yet.......same with us. No money. No care. It's not personal. It's good business.
Blackcat31 06:31 AM 09-02-2011
Nope. Either a valid contract or cash in hand BEFORE any services are given. No exceptions. ever.
It has nothing to do with trust or understanding or any other emotion-tied response. It only has to do with the fact that I am paid in advance before I provide the service. Just like grocery stores, movie theaters, rent, cell phone bills, fast food places, Wal-mart, Target, etc etc etc.
Same rule for everyone so there are no exceptions. If I give one exception, everyone should get one.
It has nothing to do with trust or understanding or any other emotion-tied response. It only has to do with the fact that I am paid in advance before I provide the service. Just like grocery stores, movie theaters, rent, cell phone bills, fast food places, Wal-mart, Target, etc etc etc.
Same rule for everyone so there are no exceptions. If I give one exception, everyone should get one.
pixsydust 06:50 AM 09-02-2011
Wow! There are people willing to scam for anything. That's terrible.
Very good points. Thanks for your input.
I will give her these options:
Give me the case workers name so I can contact him/her
Wait until I receive the approval letter, which could take months
Wait until the baby is added to my DHS online billing, or
She can pay upfront and she will be refunded after DHS kicks in
Very good points. Thanks for your input.
I will give her these options:
Give me the case workers name so I can contact him/her
Wait until I receive the approval letter, which could take months
Wait until the baby is added to my DHS online billing, or
She can pay upfront and she will be refunded after DHS kicks in
nannyde 06:52 AM 09-02-2011
No
I don't accept State paid clients but if I did I wouldn't allow them to start without approval in writing.
You have to decide if you can loan this parent money in hopes that someone else and a system within that will eventually pay you back. That's a risky thing to do because there's always the chance that they won't qualify or they don't do the work it takes to qualify. Once they access the free they have what they want. Getting them to finish providing everything and abiding by the rules once they already have the free is tough.
You can get yourself into that cycle by allowing the free.
When these parents are applying for free they need to understand that there is a price to getting the free. The price is the administration time to approve free. She really shouldn't have come to you even asking for care until she knew for sure that you would be paid.
Think about also that this mom has had nine.. ten months of time since she found out she was pregnant and then the ten weeks after birth. She's had PLENTY of time to make sure she has the money together to find out about the assistance and what is required of her paperwork and time wise. She can't wait until the day she needs care and then ask a total stranger to do what she has not done for the last ten months.
This is one of the biggest problems with giving someone such a HUGE cash money gift for something that they did not work for. It's so easy for the parent to JUST want the free part and not even take the time to figure out what THEY are responsible for during the administration time.
Instead of putting ten months into getting the funds together for the first couple of months of child care she's asking you ... someone she doesn't even know... to take the risk.
NOT cool.
I don't accept State paid clients but if I did I wouldn't allow them to start without approval in writing.
You have to decide if you can loan this parent money in hopes that someone else and a system within that will eventually pay you back. That's a risky thing to do because there's always the chance that they won't qualify or they don't do the work it takes to qualify. Once they access the free they have what they want. Getting them to finish providing everything and abiding by the rules once they already have the free is tough.
You can get yourself into that cycle by allowing the free.
When these parents are applying for free they need to understand that there is a price to getting the free. The price is the administration time to approve free. She really shouldn't have come to you even asking for care until she knew for sure that you would be paid.
Think about also that this mom has had nine.. ten months of time since she found out she was pregnant and then the ten weeks after birth. She's had PLENTY of time to make sure she has the money together to find out about the assistance and what is required of her paperwork and time wise. She can't wait until the day she needs care and then ask a total stranger to do what she has not done for the last ten months.
This is one of the biggest problems with giving someone such a HUGE cash money gift for something that they did not work for. It's so easy for the parent to JUST want the free part and not even take the time to figure out what THEY are responsible for during the administration time.
Instead of putting ten months into getting the funds together for the first couple of months of child care she's asking you ... someone she doesn't even know... to take the risk.
NOT cool.
pixsydust 07:10 AM 09-02-2011
She didn't ask me to care for her baby before I'm approved for payments through DHS. She just said she needed care asap and that she was trying to get approved. I have to talk to her more about it on Sunday, but she may have the money to pay upfront idk. I just wanted to get all my ducks in a row and figure out her options before I spoke to her. Her mom is caring for the baby now so she might be planning on having her mom continue care until she is approved. .
KEG123 08:28 AM 09-02-2011
If she is able to pay up front and until DHS approves her, I'd do it.
nannyde 08:35 AM 09-02-2011
Originally Posted by pixsydust:
She didn't ask me to care for her baby before I'm approved for payments through DHS. She just said she needed care asap and that she was trying to get approved. I have to talk to her more about it on Sunday, but she may have the money to pay upfront idk. I just wanted to get all my ducks in a row and figure out her options before I spoke to her. Her mom is caring for the baby now so she might be planning on having her mom continue care until she is approved. .
Oh I must have misunderstood.She didn't ask me to care for her baby before I'm approved for payments through DHS. She just said she needed care asap and that she was trying to get approved. I have to talk to her more about it on Sunday, but she may have the money to pay upfront idk. I just wanted to get all my ducks in a row and figure out her options before I spoke to her. Her mom is caring for the baby now so she might be planning on having her mom continue care until she is approved. .
If she needs you asap and she doesn't have the funding then I would just interview her as a private pay client and see where it goes. The only thing she needs to know is that you do take assistance and what your refund policy is should she pay for care that they cover while the paperwork is being done.
In my state they are supposed to do a notice of decision in thirty days but when I took state it could take as long as two to three months. There is no agency above the state checking if they are doing them within the thirty days. No accountability and no consequence if it is not done.
So a provider could get into many months of free care especially if the parent can access services without doing the required paperwork that can stall the process.
It's super risky but this seems fine. As long as she doesn't ask for you to care for the child without the paperwork it's just another day at the office.
If she DOES ask you to do it then just remember she has had a very long time to work this out so the risk must be on her. Many times the parents just search providers until they find the one who hasn't gotten burned on it yet. Just make sure she's not interviewing you to see if you are one of them. It might be best to just tell her upfront that she will have to pay for the child care as a private pay person until you have the paperwork in hand and you will refund any unused portion of it should they backpay for anything she has paid upfront for.
littlemommy 01:19 PM 09-02-2011
I made this mistake once.
I took a state paid child, and got all the paperwork to fill out the same day I started him. I talked to the state worker and she said if I get it in asap they will back-pay me. The 2nd day I had him, I got all paperwork sent back in. The 3rd day I had him, I termed him. (Mom told me she didn't have to work and was bringing him for a free meal, brought a poopy potty chair telling me to start potty training him even though she hadn't started yet at home...)
I called the state worker and left her 3 different messages explaining that it didn't work out but I still need to be paid for those 3 days. I never got a call back...or the money.
I refuse to do state paid after that.
I took a state paid child, and got all the paperwork to fill out the same day I started him. I talked to the state worker and she said if I get it in asap they will back-pay me. The 2nd day I had him, I got all paperwork sent back in. The 3rd day I had him, I termed him. (Mom told me she didn't have to work and was bringing him for a free meal, brought a poopy potty chair telling me to start potty training him even though she hadn't started yet at home...)
I called the state worker and left her 3 different messages explaining that it didn't work out but I still need to be paid for those 3 days. I never got a call back...or the money.
I refuse to do state paid after that.
PitterPatter 01:48 PM 09-02-2011
Originally Posted by pixsydust:
My problem is that the person I'm interviewing this weekend has a 10 wk old and I have a feeling she is a young mom (I have a soft spot for young moms because I was one). She is trying to get DHS to help out with daycare, but she wants to start bringing her DD asap. She isn't approved for DHS yet. I got burned once before by accepting a DCM's foster kids before DHS switched me to their provider (I termed the DCKs after 4 days) so I am reluctant to start caring for children before DHS starts. I don't want to lose the potential client, but I also don't want to lose money either. I'm trying to figure out what I should tell her? I normally don't start care until DHS approves funding unless the parents want to pay out of pocket until DHS starts, but I would like to help her out if there is some way of protecting myself. Should I charge her a deposit for the first two weeks and if DHS kicks in before the first billing return her deposit money after I become approved to receive DHS for the baby? How do you handle these situations? Any suggestions would be really helpful?
I haven't read the threads yet so if it's a repeat sorry but in my opinion I will NEVER take another client without a certificate in hand again!!. I just went through hell a couple months ago when a client was lazy and didn't get her paperwork in. She guarenteed me it would be in the next day. Even the head office said it's a simple paper so I could go ahead. Well that client sat on her a$$ for a month!! She didn't even pay me her little co-pay that would be due. No deposit nothing! On the last possible day she got the paperwork in after I told her the CCRR and I were upset and would not wait any longer. My problem is that the person I'm interviewing this weekend has a 10 wk old and I have a feeling she is a young mom (I have a soft spot for young moms because I was one). She is trying to get DHS to help out with daycare, but she wants to start bringing her DD asap. She isn't approved for DHS yet. I got burned once before by accepting a DCM's foster kids before DHS switched me to their provider (I termed the DCKs after 4 days) so I am reluctant to start caring for children before DHS starts. I don't want to lose the potential client, but I also don't want to lose money either. I'm trying to figure out what I should tell her? I normally don't start care until DHS approves funding unless the parents want to pay out of pocket until DHS starts, but I would like to help her out if there is some way of protecting myself. Should I charge her a deposit for the first two weeks and if DHS kicks in before the first billing return her deposit money after I become approved to receive DHS for the baby? How do you handle these situations? Any suggestions would be really helpful?
I understand soft spots I have them myself but PLEASE don't do it! Don't fall for it. Even if they have the best intentions in my experience they get lazy! I give an inch they take a mile! I told the CCRR (also my supervisor and who pays me) I will never take in anyone else again because it caused a lot of stress wondering if I was going to lose a whole months pay for TWO kids!
Same client still slacks today on other forms that need turned in. No supplies either and finally paid me her tiny co-pay after being over a week late and laying a guilt trip! VERY lazy and forgetful/manipulative. Kids are great tho so it's worth it for now.
If I were you I would explain to her that you run the risk of paperwork not being accepted and you will be out the money. Offer her the spot and tell her she can put the deposit down or pay up front. Then when she is approved you will refund her money. That way she gets care and you are paid. There is no other way around it. Unfortunatley there are some very dishonest parents out there who have ruined it for the good ones.
Good luck to you I hope it all works out!
momma2girls 03:20 PM 09-02-2011
Don't ever do it, unless they pay you weekly your regular fee, on MOnday for that week every week.
pixsydust 05:28 PM 09-02-2011
After what happened today I am looking out for me and my pocketbook from now on. I learned my lesson today. I'm not giving into any sob stories or feeling sorry for anyone anymore. Everyone has a sad story but it's not my problem. I hate to be that way but I'm going to have to.
GretasLittleFriends 07:19 PM 09-02-2011
I made the mistake once thinking I would be reimbursed for the time I watched a kid, only for the mom to find out that she wasn't approved, and she flaked out on me. I live in a small town, and amazingly I have never ran across her since she left my care. It seems she left the area completely.
I learned my lessen, however, I still will take clients who are "trying" to get child care assistance. What I tell them now (and is in my contract) I will take them, but they have to pay up front until I get reimbursement from the state, then I will reimburse them what I am reimbursed. It works well for me.
I learned my lessen, however, I still will take clients who are "trying" to get child care assistance. What I tell them now (and is in my contract) I will take them, but they have to pay up front until I get reimbursement from the state, then I will reimburse them what I am reimbursed. It works well for me.
Crazy8 06:58 AM 09-03-2011
I do not take state subsidy clients at all. But there is a very simple rule to follow for ANY and ALL clients.... "No advance payment, no childcare". Do not do any "favors" - you just posted about your last experience with that - didn't go very well, did it???
I would have her pay whatever you require as a deposit and then I'd have her pay for each week in advance before you watch the chiild. If/when state pay kicks in you can reimburse her any overlap. But I'd also be concerned with her plans for if she doesn't get approved? Does the baby end up going back to grandma because she can't afford you?
I would have her pay whatever you require as a deposit and then I'd have her pay for each week in advance before you watch the chiild. If/when state pay kicks in you can reimburse her any overlap. But I'd also be concerned with her plans for if she doesn't get approved? Does the baby end up going back to grandma because she can't afford you?
nannyde 07:16 AM 09-03-2011
Originally Posted by pixsydust:
After what happened today I am looking out for me and my pocketbook from now on. I learned my lesson today. I'm not giving into any sob stories or feeling sorry for anyone anymore. Everyone has a sad story but it's not my problem. I hate to be that way but I'm going to have to.
What happened to you today?After what happened today I am looking out for me and my pocketbook from now on. I learned my lesson today. I'm not giving into any sob stories or feeling sorry for anyone anymore. Everyone has a sad story but it's not my problem. I hate to be that way but I'm going to have to.
pixsydust 07:01 PM 09-03-2011
nanyde, this is what happened when a pregnant DCM came to pick up her kid yesterday. She was also an hour and a half late picking her up. I tried her cell phone and it didn't work. When she got here she told me she got a new phone and phone number then asked if I wanted it. Who changes their number and doesn't give it to the person that's caring for their child all day?