Sunday, October 09, 2011
Jones watched the two children, ages 4 and 5, until June and would like to do it again. But first she will need to complete first aid and CPR training, under a new requirement for legal unlicensed child care providers who are paid through the state’s child care assistance program.
Jones, who lives in Sartell, said she thinks the requirement is a good idea.
“Not everybody knows what to do in an emergency situation,” she said.
There are an estimated 150,000 unlicensed child care providers in Minnesota, according to the state Department of Human Services. They are typically a relative, friend or neighbor who cares for a child in their own home or the child’s home. If registered with the state, they can be paid through the state’s child care assistance program.
In the past, the only requirement for legally unlicensed providers was to undergo a background check. But the new rules require them to prove they are certified in first aid and CPR before they can receive payment, said Janet Goligowski, gateway services division director for Stearns County. They’ll also have to get eight hours of additional training.
New providers must provide the certification by Nov. 1, while existing providers have until Jan. 1.
Legally unlicensed providers are often helping out a family member or neighbor for a short time, Goligowski said. They are only allowed to care for their own children and one other family’s.
“They’re not interested in running a business,” Goligowski said.
Also, beginning March 5, child care assistance payments can no longer go to someone who lives in the same residence as the child. That means a couple of families couldn’t live together and one get paid to care for the children, Goligowski said.
“I think the intent of the Legislature is to close some loopholes in our child care assistance program, while at the same time assuring that our kids are in safe homes and adults who are caring for children know how to care for them should emergencies occur,” Goligowski said.
However, Goligowski is concerned that the time and expense of getting the training might be too much for some unlicensed providers. She’s also concerned that the training isn’t available locally in any languages other than English.
In Stearns County, there are 99 legally unlicensed providers who report that English is the primary language spoken in the home, while another 69 report another language — most often Somali, Spanish or Oromo, an East African language.
The state Department of Human Services sent a letter to legally unlicensed providers notifying them of the new requirements. Goligowski said she’s already getting calls from some providers.
“This will impact families in our community,” she said.
Mary Schlichting of St. Cloud is a legally unlicensed provider who cares for her 14-month-old grandson to help her daughter. She said she’s planning on getting the training.
“It would be good to know it just in case,” Schlichting said.
Unlicensed caregivers aren’t the only ones facing stricter training requirements. Last session, the Minnesota Legislature passed Hannah’s Law, which requires all child care center teachers and assistants to be trained in CPR for infants and children.
Past law required only one person in a care center to be trained, and they didn’t have to be present in the room.
The law is named after 4-year-old Hannah Kozitza, who died after choking on a grape at a North Mankato day care center.