Providers Contract
Contract benefits
Health insurance
The contract between the UFT and the state Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) stipulates that all providers who want health insurance will receive it within four years. This year all those providers who are already participants in Family Health Plus, the state-run public health insurance program, as well as others who are eligible but not yet enrolled, will be grouped into a new Voluntary Employee Benefit Association at the UFT. That voluntary group will then begin to cover some providers who are not currently income-eligible in the Family Health Plus program, at no cost, in 2010-2011. In 2013, the state and the union will assess how to enroll any providers still not covered so that by the end of four years, all providers who want health coverage will have it.
Professional development
The contract also provides for substantial funding for professional development and grants to improve the quality of the learning environment offered by providers. Under the agreement, the state will allocate $3 million in Quality Improvement Grants each year for the next two years to help licensed providers statewide buy supplies and upgrade their facilities. Another $500,000 will enable the UFT to begin to offer professional development courses to providers to enhance their skills as early childhood educators. Additional money will be added to the fund over time.
Liability insurance
Also under the contract, the state’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) will work with the state Department of Insurance to help providers obtain liability and disability insurance.
Grievance procedure & regulations
The contract provides for the development of a new grievance procedure in consultation with OCFS. Providers will be able to use the grievance procedure to resolve payment and contract disputes as well as licensure and inspection issues. It will protect providers from unfair treatment.
Market rate
Another key contract provision sets a state standard for determining the “market rate” – the rate that providers are paid by the state per child and which is recalibrated and reassessed every two years.
If you sign up for union membership, you can receive more benefits through the UFT and our state affiliate, NYSUT. Membership dues are $15 per month for unlicensed providers and $30 per month for licensed providers. Here are the details:
UFT benefits
By signing up, you become an official UFT member, able to vote in any union election and participate fully in the life of the union. As a member, you’ll also receive the Providers United newspaper regularly and will be eligible for special member discounts for outings, baseball games and other activities through the UFT’s Just for Fun Department.
NYSUT benefits
NYSUT, the UFT’s state affiliate, also offers many benefits to union members. Insurance offerings available to providers at reduced cost through the NYSUT Members Benefit Trust include life, long-term care, automobile, homeowners/renters, catastrophe major medical, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans. The Trust also offers dental and vision plans, a legal services plan, and a wide variety of discounts on everything from Dell Computers to car and truck rentals. Visit www.memberbenefits.nysut.org for details.
