Supportive Services Resources - Welfare to Work Vouchers

Helping WtW Voucher Recipients Locate Childcare Providers

Even when funding is available, providers may not be. As mentioned above, the supply of infant care falls drastically short in many communities, while the childcare needs of many third-shift, part-time, and weekend workers are also not being met. As a result, one of the most important-and most difficult-tasks of housing authority case managers and partnering service providers will be to help program participants find suitable, affordable childcare providers.

While there is no single blueprint for successful childcare solutions, following are some suggestions for case managers working with voucher recipients:

Assess Voucher Recipient Needs. A PHA's intake interviews should include a question about childcare so they know which participants may need assistance. Understanding the extent of voucher recipients' needs will be important for discussions with potential partners and funders.

Identify Existing Childcare Providers. Check with partners (i.e., the local TANF agency, Department of Labor One Stop centers, local colleges and universities) to see if they have compiled a list of childcare providers in the community. If not, work together to identify and rate local providers. Knowing where to look and who to contact may save families precious time and resources.

Educating Voucher Recipients. Choosing a childcare provider can be an overwhelming task. PHAs or partnering case managers can play an important role in educating families on what to look for in a childcare provider. Before selecting a provider, families should visit facilities and ask questions. Following are some questions and issues that families may want to discuss with potential providers:

• Is the facility close to my home and/or place of employment?
• What are the hours of operation?
• How many children is the facility licensed to provide for?
• What is the staff-child ratio?
• Do children get individualized attention?
• Does the facility serve meals? Are they hot meals or snacks? Are they well balanced and nutritious?
• Does the facility offer transportation? Is it safe and reliable?
• Is parental participation and involvement encouraged?
• Are safe, sanitary, hygienic conditions maintained?
• Is there an outdoor area that is safe to play in?
• Are the toys used in the activities safe and appropriate for the children's ages?
• What is the exact arrangement for payment?
• When are fees due?
• Is there a charge if parents pick their children up late?
• How much notice is required for children to leave the facility?
• Does the facility provide financial assistance?
• Does the facility accept government subsidies?
• Does the facility provide receipts for income tax credits?
• Can parents take a copy of the contract home in order to study it?

For more information on selecting a childcare provider, visit the National Childcare Information Center's (NCCIC's) Consumer Education page. You can also download a childcare center checklist from Iowa State University to assist families when visiting potential childcare centers

What to do When There's Not Enough Good, Affordable Care. As mentioned above, finding high-quality care close to home is often difficult, especially for families in low-income and rural communities. Following are some tips from the National Association for Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies for organizations working with families struggling to find suitable care:

• Stay in touch with your partners, particularly your local Childcare Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency. Ask them to keep searching for options that might work for your voucher recipient.
  
  
• Have voucher recipients consider different locations-near work or near a public transportation stop en route to work, for example.
  
  
• Encourage voucher recipients to talk to friends, neighbors, and people at their church who have faced similar problems. How did they resolve them?
  
  
• Suggest that voucher recipients discuss childcare needs with co-workers and with their employer. If many employees are experiencing similar difficulties, the employer may be able to help make arrangements. See NCCIC's Public-Private Partnerships page for more information on employer-centered solutions.
  
  
• Have voucher recipients make a short term plan for childcare, but encourage them to keep looking until they find the kind of care that best meets their needs.
  
  
• Instruct voucher recipients to get on the waiting list at every program that would work for them. Sometimes openings come up unexpectedly.

For more information on childcare, refer to the following on-line resources:

	Administration of Children and Families
	National Childcare Information Center (NCCIC)
	National Association of Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)
	National Childcare Association (NCCA)
	Child Welfare League of America (CWLA)
	Food and Nutrition Information Center
	National Head Start Association
	National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Childcare
	Welfare Information Network