Help from your union

• Avoiding violations: Guidance on best practices to prevent violations during inspections.
• Handling violations: Expert advice on steps to take when you receive a violation.
• Corrective action plans: Assistance with writing effective corrective action plans.
• Real-Time inspection support: Immediate advice and support during inspections.
• OCFS hearings support: Advice related to hearings on suspensions, revocations and closures.

• Union representation: Non-legal in-person advocacy services at New York State hearings for providers unable to afford legal services.

• YMS vendor payment information: Guidance for new providers to start receiving payments for caring for subsidy children.
• Payment resolution support: One-on-one assistance for resolving non-payments, delayed payments, missing payments and incorrect payment amounts.
• Mediation for payment discrepancies: Assistance and mediation for incorrect payment amounts for enrolled children.
• Market rate adjustment assistance: Help for providers who applied for but did not receive the market rate adjustment, ensuring retroactive payment to the application date.

• Quarterly updates: Meetings to update providers on childcare, early childhood education, new policies, inspection updates, market rate changes, grants, training and more.

• Direct communication: Meetings with NYC ACS, NYC DOH, and NYS OCFS throughout the year, allowing providers to speak directly with agencies and receive updates on payments, fingerprinting, licensing, compliance, inspections, health issues and policy changes.

• Business flyer updates: Assistance with updating business flyers.
• Website and social media review: Critical feedback and recommendations for business websites and social media platforms.

• Information on new market rates: Guidance on new market rates as they are released every two years.
• Assistance meetings: City-wide market rate assistance meetings in partnership with NYC ACS representatives to fast-track processing and payments for new higher rates.

• Death benefit processing: Handling and processing death benefits for families, ensuring paperwork is processed efficiently to ease the burden during difficult times.

• Mediation with networks: Mediation on behalf of providers if their rights are violated, if the network is fiscally irresponsible, imposes unfair practices, or if providers want to disaffiliate or affiliate with a network.

• Advocacy day: Organizing and participating in Lobby Day in Albany to advocate for policies and legislation that benefit childcare providers and early childhood education.

• Regular advocacy: Monthly meetings with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (NYS OCFS) to advocate on behalf of members, addressing issues related to licensing, compliance, inspections, and policy changes.

• Critical information: Providing crucial information for providers threatened by landlords for operating a daycare business in their apartments.

• Enrollment assistance: Information and support to assist providers in enrolling in the food reimbursement programs.

Additional services

• Professional development & grant opportunities: Access to a variety of grant assistance, training and development programs to enhance professional skills and knowledge.
• Networking opportunities: Opportunities to connect with fellow childcare providers and union members, and union leadership to share experiences and best practices.
• Advocacy for policy changes: Representation and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels for policies that benefit childcare providers and early childhood education.
• Resource sharing: Access to a wealth of resources, including educational materials, templates, and guides to support day-to-day operations.
• Emotional and peer support: A community of peers to provide emotional support and share experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity.
• Discounts and perks: Access to discounts on supplies, educational materials, and other resources through union partnerships.