–LAKE COUNTY — A letter sent out to local child care providers by North Coast Opportunities (NCO) says that 250,000 kids statewide are impacted by the fact that the state”s budget is as yet unsigned, meaning providers will have to wait for their July checks.
The state”s fiscal year ended June 30, putting the delay at 51 days. According to NCO, 1,699 kids would be affected throughout Lake and Mendocino counties.
Spokesman for State Senator Pat Wiggins” office David Miller told the Record-Bee Monday morning that Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman announced earlier that day that a “tentative deal has been struck.” The Assembly was expected to reconvene early Monday evening to discuss the budget, but Miller noted at late announcement that it would remain in recess until 8:30 p.m.
In a recent opinion-editorial piece published in the Record-Bee, Wiggins noted that “Senate Republicans are damanding another $700 million cuts beyond what has been on the table,” and notes that the budget has the support of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and failed an early August vote in the Senate by only one vote.
Local provider Cambria Adams said she”d called 15 legislators Monday to push the issue. “Homes are starting to go into foreclosure,” said Adams, relating what she knew from talking to other day care providers. Of those in Lake County, she estimated that 80 to 90 percent rely on childcare as their only income or receive state funding through NCO.
Joann Matz, NCO”s resource and referral specialist for the Northshore, explained that NCO provides a state subsidies for parents with low incomes or who are on CalWorks, a welfare-to-work program for cash aid recipients. “Without a budget we can”t pay the providers who are caring for these children,” said Matz. She said a Monday memo said July”s payment would be split in half, which local providers told the Record-Bee has been happening for the past few months.
Tina Thompson of Thompson”s Teddy Bear Den explained that in general, NCO pays its providers a month behind.
“We haven”t received anything for July,” said Thompson. “And we will not until the budget is final. That”s the policy,” she said, addidng that in the eight years she”s been a provider, this is only the second time she”s seen NCO”s funds frozen because of the state”s late budget.
And while NCO notes most providers have “continued to provide your valuable service to subsidized families throughout this crisis,” Adams noted that it hasn”t been easy.
“I have asked if parents could provide a snack once in a while,” said Adams, explaining that the budget crisis also means no reimbursement for meals she provides, which already doesn”t even cover half of the cost.
Thompson related that at least one provider she knows relies solely on state funding. “It”s hard on parents because the policy is that if NCO isn”t paying you”re responsible for paying,” said Thompson.
She and Adams said they are working with parents to the degree they are able, but knew in some cases parents were being turned away by providers who couldn”t foot the bill in the meantime.
“The kids are the ones that suffer,” said Thompson. “The children who the state requires them to be better-prepared for school — when it comes down to it these are the ones being punished for lack of a budget. In today”s society kids need p reschool,” Thompson added.
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