How Hard Is It To Get Subsidized Childcare In New Orleans?
Start writing a post
Relationships

How Hard Is It To Get Subsidized Childcare In New Orleans?

Are these programs really accessible?

31
How Hard Is It To Get Subsidized Childcare In New Orleans?
Del Norte Child Care Counsel

I have a son, he's two years and four months old. I have been trying unsuccessfully to get him approved for subsidized day care since I was pregnant. I was recently denied for the 3rd time in 6 months. They recently switched all the Child Care Assistance Cases to be handled by the Louisiana Department of Education rather than by the Department of Child and Family Services which handles things like SNAP (food stamps).

This last case, i applied October 3rd. I got a letter in the mail on Friday, October 14th that said I needed multiple documents due by Monday October 17th. I was actually off during the day on that day and was able to use the time before I went to work at my night job to find some of the documents. These things included pay stubs, birth certificates, immunizations, etc. Luckily, as I've continuously applied for this service for the past 2.5 years, I had these readily accessible and stored in my drives. I was able to ask my mother, who works at a school, to fax these documents for me that Monday and was able to get my son's daycare to fill out the forms and fax them that day.

However, what if I didn't have access to the fax machine? What if his daycare was closed on Monday? What if their fax machine was broken? I wasn't given a worker's number or contact info on my letter in the mail. I couldn't contact anyone directly and get no response when emailing or calling. I have been patiently waiting for news or more correspondence in the mail and hadn't gotten anything. I checked the online portal last week and it said case status was unavailable. I checked again tonight and saw I had been denied. I had been denied again for the 3rd time in 6 months. My childcare costs $640 a month. I am well below the poverty line despite working multiple jobs. $640 a month so I can work and go to school and my son can socialize with kids his own age and learn things. That is the same amount I pay for my rent, car insurance, and electric bill each month. I am lucky to have family members who do a significant amount of child care and contribute financially to my son's daycare costs. But how many times do I have to apply, call and wait on hold for hours only to be told to leave a message, or send emails that never get answered until I can get approved?

I had also applied in December 2015 and sent emails for four months until April of 2016 with only one response that I continuously replied to to no avail until I just reapplied on April 14th, 2016. I had asked to reopen my case and complained about a lack of correspondence from my worker and requested information on a case manager or supervisor to talk to.

Here's a list of the 3 times in the past 6 months that I have applied.

Here's a summary of emails dating Dec 4th - April 14th, 2016 about the same case and problems with my worker and mishandling of my case.

Here's a screenshot of my most recent case that said I failed to provide verification. However, I sent in all required documents on October 17th via fax and didn't ever receive another letter, email, notification, call, or mail from them. I sent a brief email tonight and will be calling during their business hours Monday morning.

I also went through an incredibly difficult process of applying for the One App and was denied despite meeting financial need qualifications and providing all documents. They give you little to no reason and little to no ability to appeal the decision.

If I'm a low income single mother of one going to school full time and working multiple jobs to get by and this city is supposed to have so many resources for childcare, why are they not accessible to me?

Keep in mind, I'm lucky enough to have a permanent residence, access to computer, access to cellphone, access to personal documents, transportation to and from centers, speak fluent english, have an advanced reading level, and a formal education and I was also not displaced by Katrina or the recent flooding in other Louisiana parishes. Not all mothers needing childcare and who'd be applying for these programs have the resources that I do. I can only imagine it'd be much harder for them to go through this process and get approved.

Why is this system broken? I can't afford childcare that's more than my rent. It's like I have to work a second job to pay for the daycare services I need to cover me during my day job.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71216
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133297
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments