Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  state visit stress

    Posted 11-20-2019 06:20 PM
    Hello everyone ! 

    I am a fairly new Family Care Provider. I have worked extremely hard on my business and start up I have been in over 33 hrs of various training classes. and I really love what I do with ECE. 

    However, I don't want to be a negative person but I need to understand how other handle the various instruction directives you get between agencies, that ultimately end up in noncompliance issues. State , food program , and Youngstar visits are starting to wear on me even making me consider leaving the family care business and go into another aspect of the CC business.

    Does ANYONE else feel so overwhelmed as I do ?

    I really want children to be safe and their well being is at the top of my list but I myself really need to know if  We ( the provider ) have any support groups mentors or something that will help me relax. Its like when these government programs come in it stresses me out. and I dont t nk that is good for the well being of the provider. I don't  want to quit so soon but the constant directive differences are becoming overwhelming to me. 



    What do others do ? How do you guys cope and keep from being  stressed?



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    Georgia Wallace
    Owner/Operator
    Happy & Learning Child Development Center ,LLC
    Milwaukee WI
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  • 2.  RE: state visit stress

    Posted 11-21-2019 10:46 AM
    Hi, Georgia,
    You're not alone in your feelings about this. I felt the same way in the 10 years I was  a FCC provider.It feels so intrusive especially because we can feel like our home and lives are also being judged. In fact, regulations, qualifications and standards are a big reason people leave the field both in FCC and other child care programs.The most important thing is to be treated with respect during a home visit, My regulators did that as a rule, and the one time they didn't (food program) I spoke to the supervisor and calmly shared the problem. That helped. The other thing that helped me was to practice relaxation techniques before any inspection, and take the process very slowly, one step at a time. I would ask the inspector to explain things to me carefully and reflect that I understood; that really helped the visits go well. Offering the use of the bathroom, and a drink of water or coffee also gave them the message that I was welcoming. I think a lot of them have experienced disrespect and pushback from other providers and so they come in expecting the worst. Also, share with all of them any contradictory directives you are getting. Lots of times these agencies are in silos and have no idea what other regulations you have to meet. If you can get involved with any committiees or agencies that make these rules, you'll have a voice, and they usually welcome provider participation.
    You're doing such important work! Thank you for hanging in there; this world needs you. Good luck!

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    Hazel Osborn
    Consultant
    Loveland CO
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  • 3.  RE: state visit stress

    Posted 11-21-2019 01:22 PM
    The bottom line is that all of the pertinent agencies are extremely siloed and do not ever talk to each other.  In Louisiana, we are forever dealing with Health regulations that disagree with Licensing standards and, even worse, gaps where neither agency seems to take ownership so that no one is able to answer the questions. We also face the issues of inconsistent inspection training or protocol and the constant turnover of inspectors (either through attrition or the state policy that inspectors' regions are rotated every 12-18 months), so it is impossible to get a firm grasp on what actually demonstrates compliance.

    It is frustrating, but if you do all that you can to meet the standards and run a developmentally appropriate program, you should be able to justify all of the practices within your center/home.  Good Luck!

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    Holly Dalferes
    Director
    George Cottage at St Martin's Episcopal School
    Metairie LA
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