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Answers to these questions are coming from Jenni Davis and Mark Collins of Hamilton County Child Care.

10:56:58 AM [Visitor] I want to become a child day care provider but my concern is that when i was younger and in a past relationship with my childrens father my mother called child protective services on me and my husband at that time because he was physically abusing me and mentally and that was not having my children in a safe environment at that time in my life. so my question would be will i qualify to be a child day care provider although i am no longer in an abusive relationship and now divorced since 2004.
11:00:10 AM [Jenni Davis/Mark Collins] We encourage you to call 946-1800 and ask to be placed in a first-contact class to get an application. As part of the application process, we review any and all Children's Services cases. Until your case would be reviewed, we wouldn't be able to answer your question. Of course, we would not review your case unless you applied.

Question: I keep hearing about ELI. What is it?
Answer: Early Learning Initiative. It is a program for children ages 3-5 who are not yet in kindergarten. It prepares kids for success in school. Features include: Lower teacher-child ratios, higher teacher qualifications, linking children to health and special education services, tracking children's developmental progress. 

Question: What do I do if I want to start a Child Care center or become a Type A provider?
Answer: Contact the state local office in Springdale at 551-1957.

10:46:45 AM [Tamra] I did that on one occasion. I sent a "To Whom it May Concern" letter, letting you know that this student was placed on "inactive" status. Not knowing who her caseworker was, case # or anything like that, I gave her name and DOB on the letter. Is that enough info. should I need to follow up again? Thanks for your time!
10:48:52 AM [Jenni Davis/Mark Collins] Fax it to attn: Mark Collins at 946-2249.

10:39:02 AM [Visitor] I am a GED instructor at a facility in Over-the-Rhine. I have applicants who want to be admitted to our program and they tell me they need verification to give to you stating that they are attending school. What has happened on a few occasions is they attend for just a short time, I give them their letter and then they seem to disappear for a few months, come back, state they need their letter again, I give it to them and . . . they disappear again. What is HCJFS's follow-up procedure on this "school verification" issue. I feel that these young women are "using" the system; if they're supposed to be in school in order to receive part of their benefits, then they need to be in school -- not hopping in for a few days, etc.
10:42:48 AM [Jenni Davis/Mark Collins] Consumers receiving Child Care are required to report any changes to their activity (school) or income. Failure to do so could result in the loss of Child Care (fraud) and an overpayment would be collected. Please feel free to report any names to us and we will follow up. Beyond that, we do case reviews every six months.

10:38:22 AM [Visitor] Yes, if my husband is paying child support do we claim gross income before or after that is taken from his check. This would ultimately qualify us for day care vouchers. I know the mother can claim her income before child support in order to qualify, so how does it work on the other end?
10:39:44 AM [Jenni Davis/Mark Collins] We will subtract any verifiable paid Child Support, so you may be eligible. We encourage you to apply.

Question: Are there minimum requirements to become a provider?
Answer: All certifications require that you be at least 18 years old and have experience with child care. Professional certifications require you have a GED or high school diploma. For more information, view www.hcjfs.org. (under the Services button, see Child Care)

Question: I'm interested in becoming a Child Care provider. How do I apply?
Answer: Contact 946-1800 and ask to be placed in a first-contact class. They are offered every Monday, 10 a.m.-noon. During first contact, staff will answer any questions you have and give out applications for the various types of certifications that we offer. It takes about two months to become certified.

Question: What is the range that people pay?
Answer: It could be anywhere from $1 a month up to amount being paid for care. For example, a parent with two children (family size of three) and your monthly gross income is $2,000, then you would pay $180 per month family fee.

Question: Do the parents have to pay a family fee? How is it determined?
Answer: Almost everyone is assigned a family fee. This is based on your gross monthly income and family size. Consumers pay this fee directly to their centers and homes.

Question: How do you find out who accepts vouchers?
Answer: Once you are determined eligible for Child Care, your specialist will give you referrals for centers and homes who accept our vouchers based on zip code.

Question: How do I apply for Child Care vouchers?
Answer: You may do so by scheduling a face-to-face interview by calling 946-1800 or by downloading an application on www.hcjfs.org. You can call and have an application faxed to your. You can come to the Fourth Floor at 222 E. Central Parkway, Cincinnati, and pick one up. A face-to-face interview is not required. Completed applications returned to us will be processed without an interview. You can mail, fax or drop off applications. We have face-to-face interviews available throughout the week, during normal business hours and on the first three Saturdays of the month between 8 a.m. and noon, and on Wednesdays until 7 p.m.

Question: Who qualifies for Child Care assistance from your agency?
Answer: Child are is based on your income, family size and activity (school, training, employment). Anyone interested in applying, call 946-1800.

8:52:12 AM [Visitor] I'm pretty sure I am eligible for vouchers but the Cincinnati Rec Center my daughter goes to doesn't accept them. But I know that the Corryville center does. I really don't want to change centers. Why don't they all accept them across the board?
Answer (from Mark Collins): HCJFS may only contract with centers licensed by the state of Ohio.  If Cincinnati Rec Center is not licensed by the state of Ohio, we may not contract with them.  If they are licensed by the state of Ohio they would need to contact us to set up a contract agreement so that they could accept our child care vouchers.